Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Living in Extreme Environments: Havens on the Deep Sea Floor

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners identify the characteristics of an extreme environment in the deep ocean and consider what organisms need to survive in these elements. They research sampling and data collection methods in this environment.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Deep Sea Vents

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students study the vent and non vent deep sea and see the differences in habitats.  In this investigative lesson students complete a worksheet and work in groups.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitats and Deep Sea Environments

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students examine and identify the characteristics of the four zones of the ocean. They discover the amount of diversity in marine habitats. They also explore the adaptations organisms have that have allowed them to survive.
Lesson Plan
NOAA

What's New?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Biodiversity in some areas is more diverse than one might think. Using a two-day lesson, pupils consider the biodiversity of the Hudson Canyon and the characteristics of one organism. They begin with an analysis of the common earthworm...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Exploration

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore a simulated ocean floor. In this environmental lesson plan, students take on roles of an ocean dive team exploring the ocean floor. Dive logs will be created and the students will explore their sections of simulated...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salt Marsh in a Pan

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students create a model of a salt marsh to discover the impact of pollution and human activities on water-based habitats including bays and the ocean. They recognize the relationship between natural and developed areas. Students impact...
Lesson Plan
Ocean Explorer

Easy as Pi

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Seamounts are large, extinct volcanoes that rise up from the bottom of the ocean floor. They are a relatively new landform in the scientific community, and this lesson invites students to learn about the amazing diversity of life found...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's in that Cake?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners discover the methods scientists use to investigate Oceanic habitats.  For this oceanography lesson, students utilize the Internet to identify deep sea submersibles and how they help scientists study the Charleston Bump....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cut-off Genes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Investigate the relationships between different deep-sea organisms by DNA sequencing. A worksheet provides instructions for DNA sequencing and space to work. They simulate gel electrophoresis by cutting out paper "DNA strands."...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Week 8 - Sea Life

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Using a magnifier, mini marine biologists examine the barbules of a bird feather. They swirl the it into a mixture of oil and water and then re-examine the feather. After the activity, discuss how the oily feathers pose a problem to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oceans Away

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students explore oceans. In this science lesson plan, students locate oceans, seas and continents of the world, identify ocean-related occupations, and complete activities pertaining to food chains as well as pollution.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Was for Dinner?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine energy obtaining strategies that are used by organisms in deep reef communities.  In this ocean lesson students complete an isotope activity. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bermuda: Search for Deep Water Caves 2009: Out of Darkness

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners analyze the three models on the origin of troglobitic fauna. In this life science lesson, students also consider how the Zonation model explains the fauna's origin. They also use the Internet to research solutional and volcanic...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring Marine Ecosystems in the Caribbean and Maine

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students compare the marine habitats of Maine and the Caribbean using temperature, tides, ocean currents, latitude and longitude. In this marine ecosystems lesson, students analyze maps to complete graphic organizers that evaluate the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Skates

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students gain understanding of structure, characteristics, and basic needs of living things and their role in world, identify parts of skate, observe details of skate's body and skate egg case, and identify unique characteristics of skates.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Faking It

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle school earth scientists describe the behavior of the Coriolis force. They compare and contrast conditions under which the Coriolis force has a significant impact with conditions under which it has very little. They model the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Piece of Cake

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners examine life under the sea to discover coral gardens and microhabitats. They demonstrate learning by creating an edible marine ecosystem with a sheet cake, icing, and different candies.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Cutt-Off Genes

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore how gene sequence analysis can be used to examine phylogenetic similarities of different organisms. Students work in groups to simulate a gel electrophoresis separation of fragments using poster board to create...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Extreme Environments

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine extreme environments and the characteristics that make them.  In this adaptation instructional activity students see how animals have adapted to these environments. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Leaving Home

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners explain the importance of larval dispersal and retention to populations. They collect data on organisms and examine it.