4-H State Marine Ecology Event

• Click Here for a Summary of the 2007 Marine Ecology Event
• 2007 MEE Results
• 2007 MEE Photo Contest Results

 

What is the 4-H State Marine Ecology Event?

The 4-H State Marine Ecology Event (MEE) is a competitive event that provides 4-H youth with an opportunity to demonstrate their knowledge of the marine and aquatic worlds. To prepare for the MEE, 4-H Leaders and club members go on marine field trips, visit museums and aquariums, have group study sessions, conduct internet research, and develop their own "mock contests". In the process, youth learn important life skills.

The contest is divided into 5 sections. They are:

• 1. Marine and coastal plant identification
• 2. Marine invertebrate animal identification
• 3. Marine vertebrate animal identification
• 4. Natural History Scavenger Hunt
• 5. Knowledge of marine concepts and issues

When and where will the contest be held this year?

The next Marine Ecology Event will be held Saturday, November 15, 2008 at the Osceola County Extension Office (in Osceola Heritage Park) in Kissimmee, FL. Visit the website for a location map and directions.

• NOTE: The State Marine Ecology Event is now open to three groups of 4-Hers:

• 1. Juniors (8-10)
• 2. Intermediates (11-13)
• 3. Seniors (14-18)

Study Materials, Guidelines & Forms

The 2008 materials will be posted soon! Below are 2007 study materials, guidelines and registration forms.

• Event Description and Guidelines (pdf)
• MEE Registration Form (pdf)
• Answer Key to all MC Questions (pdf)

Junior Specific Materials

• Junior MC Questions (pdf)
• Junior MEE Species List (pdf)
• Junior Species Identification Guide (pdf)
• Junior Companion Guide (pdf)
• Section 4 Junior Clue Sheet (pdf)

Intermediate/Senior Specific Materials

• Intermediate MC Questions (pdf)
• Senior MC Questions (pdf)
• Intermediate and Senior MEE Species List (pdf)
• Intermediate and Senior Species Identification Guide (pdf)
• Intermediate and Senior Companion Guide (pdf)
• Lesson 4
• Special Topic: Sea Turtles! (pdf)
• Section 4 Intermediate and Senior Clue Sheet (pdf)

State Marine Ecology Event Study Aides

The following links provide additional materials that may be helpful in preparing youth for the State Marine Ecology Event!

• Preparing 4-H Youth for the MEE (pdf)
• Preparation Strategies for leaders and youth (pdf)

Picture Flash Cards

These smaller "card-size" photos may be used in "mock MEE contests" by arranging them (or real specimens!) on a table and having youth identify the organisms by name and/or number from a given list (see next section). These cards may also be used in developing a "mock" scavenger hunts.

• Plant cards with no names OR Plant cards with names
• Invertebrate cards with no names OR Invertebrate cards with names
• Vertebrate cards with no names OR Vertebrate cards with names

Organism Lists

These lists may be used for setting up mock contests. Youth identify the organism by looking for its name on the appropriate list. Once they see its name they should write down the corresponding number on the answer sheet (see next section). Note: Names are arranged alphabetically in groups so they do not follow the same order as in the slides on the CD.

• Plant list for Seniors and Intermdiates AND/OR Plant list for Juniors
• Invertebrate list for Seniors and Intermediates AND/OR Invertebrate list for Juniors
• Vertebrate list for Seniors and Intermediates AND/OR Vertebrate list for Juniors

Practice Answer Sheets

These "mimic" the real answer sheets used in each section of the contest.

Plant Answer Sheet

• Junior
• Intermediate
• Senior

Invertebrate Answer Sheet

• Junior
• Intermediate
• Senior

Vertebrate Answer Sheet

• Junior
• Intermediate
• Senior

Sample Scavenger Hunt Clue and Answer Sheet

• Junior
• Intermediate/Senior

Multiple Choice Test Answer Sheet

• Junior
• Intermediate
• Senior

• Back to Florida 4-H Marine & Aquatic Education