Teacher Procedure:
1. Use the Conservation Investigation: Seahorses interactive to begin a discussion about conservation issues and some of the environmental concerns that threaten the future of fish populations. Thoroughly discuss Project Seahorse as an example of a complex problem with unique solutions. Point out that the solutions required innovative thinking as well as compromise from all sides involved.

2. Tell the students that they will be participating in a debate about issues that threaten the survival of certain species of fishes. Use the issues found in the Conservation Investigation: Seahorse interactive as the basis of debates and/or have your students do their own research on a topic on interest to them. Each student will play the role of someone involved in the scenario. It is his or her job to argue or defend the position assigned whether or not he or she agrees with it. Depending on the number of students and your goals, divide the class into groups.

3. Provide time for your students to work together in their groups to discuss ideas in advance of the debate. Allot a specified amount of time for each debate in the range of 10 to 20 minutes.

4. During the debate, those who are involved should be in a group at the front of the class. The rest of the class should act as observers and should not participate or ask questions until the alloted time is up. At that point, encourage the class to offer their opinions or ask questions of the debate panel. Remind students that there are no right or wrong answers to these complicated issues. Rather all of the parties involved need to take the other's perspective into consideration and be willing to compromise and be open to creative solutions.

5. Have students complete the Conservation Investigation: Seahorses interactive writing component.