After hearing about the 2006 PHAEDRA mission that explored the Aegean Sea, middle schoolers work in groups to create a robotic vehicle. They must consider power, propulsion, and other vital systems. Use the multitude of external...

Students examine the effect of limiting factors, especially when it comes to human beings. They examine data from the Gulf of Maine area.

Learners explore coral reef ecosystems.  In this ecosystems science lesson, students research coral reef ecosystems to determine the major functions the participating organisms must perform.  Learners construct a miniature...

Students analyze the factors that affect exploration such as religion, trade, territorial expansion, and science. In this Great Explorations lesson, students determine the names of famous explorers as well as their routes and...

Students explore renewable and nonrenewable resources. In this ocean preservation lesson, students use KWL charts to understand ways the ocean is important to our daily lives. Students create a poster or wirte a letter to someone...

Students examine reasons that led people to explore, identify "West" as defined following Revolutionary War, explain importance of finding natural resources, develop time line of dates and events leading up to Lewis and Clark Expedition,...

Junior archaeologists examine types of artifacts from the Bronze Age on the internet. In collaborative groups, they create a story about a ship from this period and then construct a model of the ocean floor after their ship has sunk....

Learners research marine ecosystems by creating class presentations.  In this oceanography lesson, students research the different locations of marine sanctuaries by identifying them on a transparency map in class.  Learners...

Students investigate commercial fishing by exploring the technical methods.  In this environmental lesson plan, students identify the fish that are most commonly consumed by humans and trace their path from ocean to plate. ...

Students work in groups to design, build, and test a submersible prototype. In this engineering lesson, students learn about the importance and design of submersible vessels and apply their knowledge by building one of their own. They...

Students explore the environment by reading a story in class. In this water formation lesson, students define environmental terms such as rivers, streams, gulf, oceans and lakes. Students read the story A River Ran Wild and discuss the...

Students explore the hazards of ecosystems and utilize their writing skills to create a studenT book. Threats to the ecosystem of the coral reef are discussed and used as a model for the research of the group.

Students explore the Big Bang Theory and the Theory of Plate Tectonics. For this history of life lesson, students explain two ways the Theory of Plate Tectonics and the Big Bang are of direct benefits to humans.

Young scholars explore the concept of starfish.  In this starfish lesson, students identify the parts of a starfish and how their body works. Young scholars create a starfish using paint and a cornmeal mixture.  They then glue...

Students explore fish anatomy. For this fish anatomy and adaptation lesson, students define and identify the location of fish body parts. Students add these parts of a fish's anatomy to a life-sized fish costume worn by a student. ...

Learners demonstrate the decision-making process for marine reserves designations. In this role-playing instructional activity students analyze maps and data relating to a proposed reserve. They formulate the best decisions based on...

Students study life forms in coral reefs. In this ocean life lesson plan, students study life in coral reefs as they create a coral reef sculpture.

Students explore the causes of water pollution. In this environmental lesson, students conduct experiments with natural filtration systems.

Students explore the importance of the Gulf Stream. Using a NASA satellite images, they examine the sea surface temperature. Students collect the temperature at various locations and times. Using spreadsheet technology, they graph the...

Students explore the life cycle of insects by researching butterflies. In this insect migration activity, students identify the Monarch butterfly, where they inhabit, and what their migration consists of. Students utilize the Internet to...

Students study the biology and morphology of Lophelia corals.  In this investigative lesson students explain how the coral contributes to communities, and create a poster.  

Discuss personal ideas about science and how a filmmaker can employ the arts to promote science. After reading an article, young scientists will discover how James Cameron is trying to interest people in the oceans. In groups, they will...

Students investigate jungles and the people who depend upon them.  In this sustainability lesson plan, students research wild life conservation and discover the importance of a jungle to Amazonian people.  Students create a...

Students brainstorm a list of environments and animals from around the world that need protection. They then design and create a slogan about an animal or environment and an environmental protection poster.