The Crayfish Curriculum: Investigating Crayfish and Freshwater Ecosystems

The use of live crayfish in classrooms has been identified as a pathway for the introduction of invasive crayfish into our local waterways. To address this issue, the Investigating Crayfish and Freshwater Ecosystems curriculum was developed to teach students about Great Lakes ecosystems, the significance of native crayfish, and the ecological threats posed by invasive crayfish. It contains nine engaging lesson plans aligned to Next Generation Science Standards, Common Core State Standards, and Center for Great Lakes Literacy Principles. The curriculum is best suited for students in grades 6–12 but offers numerous adaptations/extensions to meet the divergent needs of students in grades 2–5. Investigating Crayfish and Freshwater Ecosystems was developed by Engaging Every Student and Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant.

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Download the Curriculum and Accompanying Files

The Complete Crayfish Curriculum (PDF)

Lesson 1 PowerPoint: Crayfish and Freshwater Ecosystems (PPT)

Lesson 3 PowerPoint: Crayfish Adaptations (PPT)

Individual Lesson Plans and Supplemental Material (ZIP)

A mesh crayfish trap sitting next to a white bucket with a single crayfish inside.

The Lessons

These lesson plans are designed to help educators across the Great Lakes region engage students in thinking critically about crayfish and their freshwater ecosystems. The curriculum will prepare you and your students to participate in the Invasive Crayfish Collaborative's crayfish study–this participatory science program is aimed at preventing the spread of invasive crayfish by collecting data on crayfish presence to help managers understand their distribution across the Great Lakes region. Through this activity, your students will learn how to sample and identify crayfish, as well as record and report crayfish data.

Keep scrolling to explore some of our lesson plans!

Students will gain a foundational understanding of freshwater ecosystems, including the interactions between biotic and abiotic factors, the structure of food webs, and the dynamics of energy flow through trophic levels.

In Lesson 2, students will learn how to accurately label the external parts of a crayfish, including key anatomical features such as the carapace, areola, chela, walking legs, telson, and antenna. They will also develop an understanding of the functions of these structures and how they contribute to the crayfish's suvival and behavior in freshwater ecosystems.

Students will simulate the impacts of invasive crayfish by participating in an engaging game that demonstrates how the aggressive feeding behavior of invasive species disrupts ecosystems. Through this interactive activity using dried beans, they will observe the competition for resources, depletion of native species populations, and the cascading effects on the entire food web.

Students will complete worksheets designed to assess their understanding of freshwater animals, native and invasive species, and the levels of biological organization, including organisms, populations, communities, and ecosystems. These worksheets will reinforce key concepts and help students apply their knowledge to real-word ecological scenarios.

Students will learn about common native and invasive crayfish species found in the Great Lakes, exploring their behavioral differences, key identification features, and impacts on ecosystems. They will also learn about high-risk crayfish species that pose a threat to the Great Lakes, gaining insight into the importance of early detection and management efforts to prevent their spread.

Taking high-quality photos of crayfish is essential for accurate identification of crayfish and can help scientists distinguish between native and invasive crayfish. Programs like iNaturalist emphasize the importance of capturing clear images from multiple angles to improve identification accuracy. In Lesson 5, students will learn how to properly sample crayfish, photograph them using best practices, and report their observations through participatory science platforms, contributing valuable data to ongoing research and conservation efforts.

Through the participatory science lesson plan (Lesson 5), students will learn how to collect data in the field like a scientist by following proper sampling techniques, recording detailed observations, and using tools like dipnets, traps, and datasheets. They will engage in hands-on activities that mirror real-world scientific practices.

With their collected field data, students will have the opprtunity to learn how to visualize and analyze their data using GIS mapping software. By creating maps of crayfish distribution, students will gain valuable skills in spatial analysis and data visualization, which will enhance their understanding of species patterns, habitat use, and impacts of invasive species. This activity with ArcGIS will show students how scientists use mapping tools to make informed management decisions.