Curated OER
What's in the Water?
Young scholars examine how pollutants can affect ocean animals. In this pollution lesson, students read a story about the ocean floor, think about what would happen to the plants and animals if the ocean became dirty or polluted, and...
Curated OER
Camouflage, Protection, & Adaptations—Who am I?
Students explore ocean animal adaptations. In this animal adaptations lesson, students examine how different ocean animals use adaptations other than camouflage to protect themselves.
Curated OER
Group Foraging
Students explore co-operation by researching ocean life. In this fish science lesson, students identify many vocabulary terms associated with oceanography and discuss what group foraging means among fish. Students utilize paints and...
California Academy of Science
A Day inthe Life of a San Francisco Native Animal
Although the lesson plan is specifically about the San Francisco Bay area, it's good enough to be adapted to any local region. Children research what the landscape in San Francisco was like prior to settlement, they consider the types of...
Consortium for Ocean Science Exploration and Engagement (COSEE)
Fish Morphology
Life comes in all different shapes and sizes, and fish are no exception. Here, young scientists create fish prints as they learn how specific characteristics allow different species to survive in their particular habitats.
Curated OER
Seaweeds
Marine biology beginners learn about the different types of seaweed in this collection of slides. It covers the general structure of seaweed, and then describes the differences among green, brown, and red algae. The presentation...
Curated OER
Exploring the National Marine Sanctuaries: A Lesson in Habitats and Human Impacts
Middle schoolers examine the marine sanctuaries in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. They discover the interdependence of all living things and work together in groups to create a poster about what they have discovered during the lesson....
Curated OER
Venomous Marine Animals
Pupils name and describe six venomous marine animals. After participating in an activity, they define new vocabulary words. In groups, they complete worksheets to use while researching a specific venomous animal of their choice. They...
Curated OER
Marine Debris and Me
Students study the environmental issues that pertain to the marine environment. In this research ocean landfills lesson students come up with alternative means of disposal.
Curated OER
Marine Debris on the Chesapeake Bay
Students examine problem of litter and marine debris on the Chesapeake Bay, and experiment with density of marine debris.
Curated OER
Sea Connections: Marine Ecosystems
Students identify producers and consumers from marine ecosystems and describe the balance among them in the environments. After constructing a food chain from a marine ecosystem, they examine human activities that can upset the balance...
Curated OER
Seaside Science
Pupils classify sea life and shells and develop computer-generated tables and graphs. They observe a desalinization demonstration and enter information on their laptops through each step of the scientific experimental process.
Curated OER
Mesozoic Sea Life Diorama
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.
Curated OER
Discover the Similarities: Marine Mammal Rescue
Young scholars analyze the the similarities of their own daily schedule, processes and procedures and those used at work. They research the career of marine mammal rescue and email questions to a career expert. They construct a display...
Curated OER
Interrelationships Within the Marine Community
Fourth graders create an electronic story showing the interrelationship of species within the marine environment. They utilize the educational software, 'Destination Ocean' during this engaging lesson.
Curated OER
Empty Oceans
In groups of four, pupils brainstorm about seafood. They view the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch website to examine the problems caused by the seafood industry. Learners are then brought back together to discuss what they...
Curated OER
Wreck Detectives
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....
Curated OER
Whale Vocabulary
In this whales vocabulary skills worksheet, students match the 10 whale-related terms in the word bank to the appropriate definitions.
Curated OER
Little Oyster: Ceramic Lesson
Children will love researching and then creating a bottom dwelling mollusk of their own. They watch clips describing the ocean ecosystem and how oysters fit into their environment. Next, they research what oysters eat and how they look....
Curated OER
Exploring Life in the Coral Reef
Young scholars study life forms in coral reefs. In this ocean life instructional activity, students study life in coral reefs as they create a coral reef sculpture.
Curated OER
What Shapes a MPA?
Young scholars identify the three types of MPA in California. For this marine science lesson, students analyze information provided to design a new MPA. They justify their reasoning in class.
Curated OER
Coasts
Learners explain the different types of marine coasts and where they are located in the United States and its territories. They explain and identify some of the life forms that inhabit different marine coastal regions.
Curated OER
The Race
Students play game simulating route turtle hatchlings take from clutch to ocean, and describe threats hatchlings face and how this affects the marine turtle population.
Curated OER
To Fish or Not to Fish?
Young scholars demonstrate the decision-making process for marine reserves designations. For this role-playing lesson students analyze maps and data relating to a proposed reserve. They formulate the best decisions based on overall issues.