Lesson Plan
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Fishing for the Future

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students research Hawaii's fishing regulations. In this conservation lesson, students explore the reasons behind ocean conservation. Resources are provided.
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See Turtles Nest! See Turtles Hatch!

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Students graph data of sea turtles hatching rates from Watamu/Malindi Marine National Park and Reserve in Kenya.  In this math activity, students use real life science data to calculate mean and median values. Students use...
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Ocean Exploration: Dentists of the Sea!

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students watch videos about unusual fish behavior and write to marine scientists about the proper care of fish. In this fish lesson plan, students watch the videos on how to properly transfer fish to saltwater, and they do so in an...
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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 plan students complete a worksheet and work in groups.
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A Monument for Marine Conservation

For Teachers 7th - 10th
Students explore the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands to discover what's there and pick up clues as to how people have both harmed and helped the native habitats. They study another protected area and see how to balance conservation efforts...
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Save the Bay

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Young scholars explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students examine the environmental effects of oil spills as they replicate a contained oil spill and clean up.
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My Friend, The Volcano

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students describe the positive impacts of volcanic activity on marine ecosystems. For this volcano lesson students explore the process that causes volcanic activity along the Mariana and Kermadec Island Arcs.
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Let's Hit the Slopes!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students study benthic communities in the Gulf of Mexico and explain their roles.  In this investigative lesson students participate in a group activity and study how to calculate and index of biological communities. 
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The Tides

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students experience a computer based applet that explains why the Earth experiences tides.
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Unique Plants of the Biomes

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students examine how the earth is divided into different biomes that are characterized by a distinctive climate.  In this earth's surface lesson plan students identify adaptations of plants in specific biomes. 
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The Water Cycle and Global Warming

For Teachers 8th - 9th
Young scholars study the flow of water in the environment.  In this water cycle instructional activity students evaluate the consequences of changes in the water cycle using data. 
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Around the Water Cycle--A Reader's Theater

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students read aloud a play script in a group to research the water cycle. They take the parts of raindrops. The amount of raindrops can be adjusted to fit group size.
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How High Does the Atmosphere Go?

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Pupils explain how relatively thin the atmosphere is, compared to the size of the planet, and determine the relative extent of the four major atmospheric layers.
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A Sailing We Will Go!

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders investigate the journey that Magellan took around the world. Small groups conduct research on a ship that went on Magellan's voyage, write the story of their ship, and create a class dance that demonstrates the route taken...
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Ocean Microstructure Lesson Plan

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore the microstructure of the ocean by analyzing graphs created by Dr. Mike Gregg of the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory during the EPIC 2001 research cruise on the Ronald H. Brown NOAA vessel.
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Mesozoic Sea Life Diorama

For Teachers 3rd - 4th
Students create a diorama depicting Mesozoic sea life. They color a template and add shells and pebbles to the diorama to depict the ocean floor.
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The Inside Current

For Teachers 8th
Eighth graders explore ocean currents and wind patterns. They discover the concept of systems to show how change in one component of a body of water, causes change in other components in that system. Students describe positive and...
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Ocean Grazers: Class Field Trip

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students explore biology by participating in a field trip. In this oceanography lesson, students define the survival characteristics of bottom dwelling creatures also known as ocean grazers. Students attend a class field trip to a beach...
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Design a Reef!

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Middle schoolers explore coral reef ecosystems.  In this ecosystems science lesson, students research coral reef ecosystems to determine the major functions the participating organisms must perform.  Middle schoolers construct...
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Global Warming: Life in a Greenhouse

For Teachers 9th - Higher Ed
Students investigate the evidence and consequences of global warming. They read and discuss an article, conduct a debate, evaluate their community's climate statistics, log their gas consumption for a week, and develop a panel discussion...
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Changing With the Tide

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Learners describe three different aspects or life forms of the salt marsh. They compare and contrast the low and high marsh. Students explain what happens in different areas of the marsh at low and high tide; and explain the roles...
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The Watershed Quest

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students examine their connection to local watersheds. They describe the water cycle and list species living in their local watershed. They also draw a map of their community.
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Water Will, Water Way

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Learners test tap water for hardness and mineral content. In this environmental science lesson, students identify the different stages of the water cycle. They classify plant and animals according to the rules of taxonomy.
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Cathedral in the Sea

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students construct a model giant kelp and kelp forest inhabitants based on field-guide photographs. Students also place animal cutouts in appropriate positions on or near the plant.