Dive into the dramatic decline of Lake Superior’s lake trout population with this engaging Inquiry Brief. Students will analyze historical data, identify ecological relationships, and explore the role of overfishing and invasive sea lampreys in the lake trout collapse. Through real-world case study analysis, they will evaluate the tragedy of the commons, propose solutions to prevent overfishing, and examine conservation strategies to control invasive species.
What is an Inquiry Brief?
Inquiry Briefs are compact, targeted case studies designed for assessment purposes, closely aligning with the AP Environmental Science (APES) curriculum. Unlike traditional case studies, which provide background information to teach students before asking questions, Inquiry Briefs present a limited amount of information and require students to apply their prior knowledge - similar to the format of the AP exam. Each of the nine Inquiry Briefs corresponds to a specific APES unit and includes AP-style free-response questions (FRQs), making them effective tools for end-of-unit assessments or end-of-year review. Each brief includes both a student edition and a teacher edition with complete answer keys.