TED Connection The Language of Dolphins

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MensaForKids.org
                                                                                                                     TED CONNECTIONS

                                TED® Connection
                            The Language of Dolphins

Overview
Mensa for Kids' TED Connections are short, easy to use guides that help teachers,
parents and youth use TED talks in a classroom or home setting. Rather than a lesson
plan format, they have a list of discussion questions, all at higher levels of thinking.

 Denise Herzing, the Research Director of the Wild Dolphin project, shares the fascinating
  world of dolphins and the possibility that we may one day be able to “speak” with them.

Watch the TED talk at:
http://www.ted.com/talks/denise_herzing_could_we_speak_the_language_of_
                              dolphins.html

© This lesson plan is the property of the Mensa Education & Research Foundation, www.mensafoundation.org. It is provided as a complimentary service to
the public. Reproduction and distribution without modification is allowed. Images, links and linked content referenced herein are the property of the
originating entities.

MensaForKids.org
TED CONNECTIONS

THINK ABOUT IT:
1. Dr. Herzing says dolphins interested her because of their large brains and what they
might be doing with them in the wild. What animals interest you the most and why?

__________________________________________________________________

2. For nearly 30 years, Dr. Herzing has spent five months a year out on a boat and in
the water with the dolphins. What do you think would be the most wonderful thing
about this, and what do you think would be the hardest?

__________________________________________________________________

3. A brain to body ratio second only to
humans, the ability to understand
artificially created languages, use tools,
and pass self-awareness tests are all
things Dr. Herzing shares to explain
dolphins’ high intelligence. Which of
these is most impressive to you? What
is a sign of intelligence humans have that
dolphins don’t (that we know of)?

__________________________________

4. Dr. Herzing muses about what we would
talk about with dolphins if we could
communicate with them. What would you
like to ask a dolphin? What do you think
a dolphin would like to ask you? Who do think is more curious about the other –
dolphins or humans?

__________________________________________________________________

© This lesson plan is the property of the Mensa Education & Research Foundation, www.mensafoundation.org. It is provided as a complimentary service to
the public. Reproduction and distribution without modification is allowed. Images, links and linked content referenced herein are the property of the
originating entities.

MensaForKids.org
TED CONNECTIONS

5. There was a six-year difference in the maturity ages between male and female
dolphins. Why do you think dolphin males mature so much more slowly than
females? What advantages could this give dolphins?
__________________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

6. Each dolphin has unique spot patterns. Do you think dolphins use those to
recognize each other, or do you think they rely on the sound of their signature (or
“name”) whistle? What would be the advantages and disadvantages of each of
those methods?

__________________________________________________________________

7. The enemies of dolphins are, in order of which kills more dolphins: man, sharks,
dolphins. Dolphins are their own enemies in a sense because orcas (killer whales)
sometimes eat them, and orcas are the largest of the dolphin family (Delphinidae).
How are humans sometimes their own worst enemies?

________________________

__________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

8. Dolphins have a strong sense of sight, taste, sound, and touch, but not smell. Why
do you think that is, and what do you think humans’ weakest sense is?

__________________________________________________________________

MensaForKids.org
TED CONNECTIONS

9. Dr. Herzing says the dolphins create many types of sounds, including their
signature whistle, echolocation clicks, buzzes, and burst pulse sounds. Visit the
Wild Dolphin project website http://www.wilddolphinproject.org/ and listen to the
dolphins. Can you identify any of these kinds of sounds from what you’re hearing?
Now visit this site http://bit.ly/dolphinsounds and listen to the different sounds
isolated. Revisit Wild Dolphin Project and see if you can identify them more easily.

10. Although Dr. Herzing focuses her research on the Atlantic Spotted Dolphin
(Stenella frontalis), she describes how they interact with another species of
dolphin, the Bottlenose Dolphin (Tursiops truncatus) – joining together to babysit
each other’s calves and form temporary alliances when chasing sharks away. In
her talk, she shares video of the way the dolphins synchronize their sounds and
body postures to sound and appear bigger. Can you think of other animals that do
similar things? How do some human behaviors simulate this dynamic as well?

__________________________________________________________________

MensaForKids.org
TED CONNECTIONS

11. Dolphins play by dragging seaweed around, playing Keep Away with it, and
teaching the game to their young. This doesn’t necessarily sound that fun to
humans. What does it really mean to “play,” and what might explain why something
would be fun to one species and not to another? Is play a sign of intelligence?

__________________________________________________________________

12. Dr. Herzing hopes the dolphins will learn to mimic the different whistles associated
with the different objects and divers, creating a common language. Based on what
you’ve seen so far, do you think that is likely? Why or why not?

__________________________________________________________________

13. In an interview, Dr. Herzing was asked why she liked dolphins so much. She
responded:

I think intelligence recognizes intelligence. Awareness of another sentient
species by simply looking into an eye and noting that something is behind
that eye is incredible. Dolphins make it clear that they are aware of you, and
can engage you as no other wild animal can engage a human being. I think
the ultimate bonding for me comes from not only a mutual awareness, but
also a respect for each other. I want them to be dolphins; they probably want
us to be humans. The question is where can we meet and what can we
learn. It's a relationship, you want the other to be themselves (hopefully) and
that is what you enjoy about them.

Have you ever looked into an animal’s eyes and realized that “something” was
behind that eye? She says that bonding is based on respect, not just awareness.
What do you think it means to truly respect animals? How is what she said about
“intelligence recognizing intelligence” true, and what does that mean to you?

__________________________________________________________________

You can read the full interview here http://bit.ly/drherzinginterview.

MensaForKids.org
                                                                                                                     TED CONNECTIONS

DO IT:
          Observe an animal (a bird, a squirrel, even your own pet) for 30 days, recording
           everything you notice about it, taking pictures and video, and noting eating habits,
           sleeping cycles, or other behaviors. Record your observations in a journal, and
           review them at the end of the 30 days. What do you know about this animal now
           that you didn’t know before?

          Make an origami dolphin! Find instructions (including a link to a printable set of
           directions) here http://bit.ly/origamidolphin

          You can find dolphin activities to do (online games, coloring pages and more)at
           http://bit.ly/dolphinfun

          Cut and color your own dolphin http://bit.ly/dolphincraft

          Complete a family dolphin puzzle http://bit.ly/dolphinpuzzle

READ ABOUT IT:
          Read Dr. Herzing’s book Dolphin Diaries: My 25 Years with Spotted Dolphins in the
           Bahamas

          Read about the endangered Ganges River Dolphin here http://bit.ly/indiandolphin

          Smithsonian Handbook: Whales, Dolphins and Porpoises by Mark Carwardine

          National Geographic Readers: Dolphins Paperback by Melissa Stewart (ages 5 – 8)

          Everything Dolphin: What Kids Really Want to Know about Dolphins by Marty Crisp
           (3rd – 6th grade)

© This lesson plan is the property of the Mensa Education & Research Foundation, www.mensafoundation.org. It is provided as a complimentary service to
the public. Reproduction and distribution without modification is allowed. Images, links and linked content referenced herein are the property of the
originating entities.

MensaForKids.org
                                                                                                                     TED CONNECTIONS

WATCH IT:
          Watch videos of dolphins at the Wild Dolphin Project site
           http://bit.ly/wilddolphinvideo

          IMAX: Dolphins (2000)

          PBS video: How Smart are Dolphins http://bit.ly/pbsdolphin

          http://bit.ly/dolphindinner less than three minute video about how dolphins work
                   together to eat

          http://www.thecovemovie.com/ WARNING: This is a very disturbing documentary
           about the hunting of dolphins in Japan. It should not be viewed by young children.
           Parents may wish to view first before allowing even older youth to view it.

SURF IT:
          Visit The World Wildlife Fund website and search for dolphins. Read about the
           many different species of dolphin http://worldwildlife.org.

          Visit the Wild Dolphin Project website http://www.wilddolphinproject.org/

          Learn more about dolphins here http://www.dolphins-world.com/

© This lesson plan is the property of the Mensa Education & Research Foundation, www.mensafoundation.org. It is provided as a complimentary service to
the public. Reproduction and distribution without modification is allowed. Images, links and linked content referenced herein are the property of the
originating entities.

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