Lesson Plan
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It's Going to Blow Up!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students discover the major characteristics of volcanoes on the Pacific Ring of Fire. They describe the processes that produce the "Submarine Ring of Fire." students explain the factors that contribute to explosive volcanic eruptions.
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The Good, The Bad and The Arctic

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Learners examine the impact of a major climate change in the Arctic Ocean on the rest of the world. They use the Internet to research the Arctic region and the wildlife that lives there.
Lesson Plan
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The Volcano Factory

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the process of tectonic plates and why the Mariana Arc is active with volcanoes. They create a model of the Mariana Arc out of clay.
Lesson Plan
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Hydrothermal Vent Challenge

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discover common features of hydrothermal vent fluids. They use this knowledge to locate possible undiscovered hydrothermal vents on the ocean floor.
Lesson Plan
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Friendly Volcanoes

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students discuss the benefits of volcanic activity on marine life. They explain the process of tectonic plates.
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What's Eating Titanic?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students, in groups, research the bio deterioration of the Titanic. They write a report focusing on the rusting of the Titanic and estimate the amount of time it will take for the Titanic's bow section to completely dissolve.
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Steamship Portland: Where's the Energy?

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine how steamships operate. They describe the necessary energy conversions. They construct a model paddlewheel ship. They use rubber bands as examples of potential and kinetic energy as they unwind and set the models in motion.
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Where Am I?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Sudents examine the types of instruments that can be used for marine navigation and position-finding. They practice using an astrolabe to solve trigonometric problems.
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X-Storms

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners compare and contrast 3 types of extreme storms. They obtain real-time and historical meteorological data regarding 2 specific storms and then analyze the data to determine what type of storm each was.
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Hot Food

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students compare and contrast photosynthesis and chemosynthesis as processes that provide energy to biological communities. They investigate the energy content of hydrocarbons used in coral communities.
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Do You Have a Sinking Feeling

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students determine how marine archaeologists use historical and archaeological data to draw inferences about shipwrecks. Students plot the position of a shipwrecked vessel, and draw inferences about the shipwreck from artifacts that have...
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What's the Difference?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate volcanic processes at convergent and divergent tectonic plate boundaries. They read and analyze diagrams, complete a worksheet, and write an essay.
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Tracking Narwhals in Greenland The Ocean Unicorn

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners study the ecology, habitats, geographic range and feeding habits of narwhals. They determine at least three reasons for the decline in the narwhal populations and complete the accompanying worksheets.
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Frozen Out

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students investigate how climate changes affect top predators in Arctic marine ecosystems. Students complete a worksheet and write a report based on their responses to a scientific paper.
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The Good, The Bad, and the Arctic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the social, economic and environmental consequences that might result from Arctic climate change. Students identify and discuss at least three consequences.
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History's Thermometers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explain the concept of paleoclimatological proxies. In this oxygen isotope lesson, students interpret data and make inferences about climate changes in the geologic past.
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The Big Burp: Where's the Proof?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars research the evidence for prehistorically formed methane hydrates contributing to global warming. In this climate change lesson, students work in groups to research methane hydrates, global warming, The Cambrian Explosion,...
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This Old Tubeworm

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students plot data to construct and interpret a graph about vestimentiferans at cold-seep sites in the Gulf of Mexico. In this deep sea lesson, students plot data provided for the growth of tubeworms. They use the graphs to determine...
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What's the Connection?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners explain hardground communities in the Gulf of Mexico. In this deep-sea ecosystem instructional activity, students investigate the connection between deep-sea ecosystems and petroleum deposits. They discuss the relationship...
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Where's the Energy

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research energy conversions. In this energy lesson plan, students describe the basic operation of a steam engine.  They explain the energy conversions in the steam engine's operation. 
Lesson Plan
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When Plates Collide

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students investigate tectonic plates.  In this geology and geography lesson, students construct convergent, divergent, and transform boundaries using oobleck, foam, and tile. A large amount of background information and relevant...
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Save Your Breath

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students discuss metabolism. In this metabolism lesson, students evaluate evidence form a research report and discuss the basis for hypothetical metabolic adaptations to low-oxygen environments in the anchialine caves.
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Deep Lights

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate materials that emit light. In this deep ocean lesson, students compare and contrast materials that emit light under certain conditions and infer the light-producing process. They explain three ways this evidence is...
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Living Light

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explain bioluminescence. In this life science lesson, students discuss bioluminescence and conjure examples of organisms that carry this trait and how it is useful in their environment.