Curated OER
Entering the Twilight Zone
Students describe major features of cold seep communities and list organisms that are found in these communities. In this water habitat lesson students examine trophic levels, describe the process of chemosynthesis and list...
Curated OER
Light at the Bottom of the Deep, Dark Ocean?
Students participate in an inquiry activity. They relate the structure of an appendage to its function. They describe how a deepwater organism to its environment without bright light.
Curated OER
Critter Characteristics
Students explore the adaptations of deep sea life forms. In this science lesson, students watch a video to observe characteristics which allow for the sea creature to thrive in it's environment. Students determine the physical,...
Curated OER
Let's Go to the Video Tape!
Pupils examine biological diversity and see how it relates to the concepts of variety and relative abundance. In this investigative instructional activity students view a video on biodiversity and complete an activity.
Curated OER
Extreme Environments
Students examine extreme environments and the characteristics that make them. In this adaptation instructional activity students see how animals have adapted to these environments.
Curated OER
What's Bright Red and Invisible?
Learners study that very little sunlight penetrates the ocean below depths of 200 meters. They study that no light penetrates the ocean below depths of 1000 meters. They study that the quality of light changes as depth increase
Curated OER
Salt Marsh in a Pan
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...
Curated OER
The Little Ice Age
In this Little Ice Age worksheet, students read about changes in weather and temperature resulting in changes in rain fall and glacier movement. Students answer three critical thinking questions about the Little Ice Age that occurred as...
Curated OER
Plate Tectonics: Recycling the Seafloor
Students classify earth's layers and plates using Ocean Seismicity data. In this plate tectonics lesson, students outline where the plate boundaries are on the world map. They then compare these predicted boundaries with USGS map of the...
Curated OER
Biomes
In this biomes worksheet, students review the characteristics of aquatic biomes and terrestrial biomes. This worksheet has 12 fill in the blank, 6 multiple choice, and 4 short answer questions.
Curated OER
Exploring Marine Ecosystems in the Caribbean and Maine
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...
Curated OER
Reading Comprehension: Oceans
In this ocean comprehension worksheet, students read a short passage, then complete 4 short answer questions about oceans. Worksheet contains a link to additional activities.
Curated OER
Activity 1-Cold Water, Hot Water and Super-Heated Water!
Students investigate hydrothermal vents by observing a simple model designed to show that hot water rises when it's heated. First, students listen as the teacher explains hydrothermal fluids and vents. Students watch as the teacher...
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Journey to Deep Sea Vents
Take a submersible down to the seafloor. As you descend, passing through the ocean's sunlight, twilight, and midnight zones, you can observe how temperature, pressure, and light levels change. When your submersible reaches the seafloor,...
Untamed Science
Untamed Science: Biology: World Biomes: Deep Sea Biome
Read about the different zones and life in the deep sea as well as watch videos and examine photos of this aquatic biome. [5:54]
Encyclopedia Britannica
Encyclopedia Britannica: Geology: Deep Sea Trench
Detailed information about oceanic trenches, their structure, and how they are formed. Discusses the twenty trenches that exist around the world. Includes several labeled illustrations.
The Wild Classroom
The Wild Classroom: Biomes of the World: The Deep Sea Biome
Learn all about the abyssal ocean ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Interesting Facts About the Abyssal Zone
The Abyssal Zone lies deep in the ocean in the pelagic layer between 4,000 to 6,000 m or 13,000 to 19,500 ft. Learn about some of the unique life forms that call this zone their home, how they have adapted to the extreme pressure and...
Other
Encyclopedia of New Zealand: Deep Sea Creatures
Learn about the life forms that dwell deep in the ocean which is divided into four zones. These zones have similar life forms around the world.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Light at the Bottom of the Deep, Dark Ocean?
What types of adaptations enable deep-sea fishes to survive and collect food in the darkness of the deep ocean? Interactive, hands-on lesson plan takes students on an exploration of deepwater adaptations by searching for Skittles in a...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Otherworldly Creatures in the Ocean's Deepest Depths
Although the deep ocean zone seems like an inhospitable and remote corner of the planet, it is actually one of the greatest habitats on Earth. Lidia Lins explores how so many species thrive in this mysterious underwater world. [5:02]
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Planet
Detailed website that was a companion to a 1995 traveling exhibit of the Smithsonian. Links to lesson plans and other educational materials are at the bottom of the page. Enter the exhibition to explore the world of the ocean.