Curated OER
Ghostbusting in the Chesapeake
Ghost pots, fishing gear lost during crabbing expeditions, continue to trap crabs that are never collected. Increase your budding ecologists' awareness of human impact on the environment as well as conservation efforts using this...
Curated OER
Specialized for the Sea
Students use pictures and make a mural to investigate how ocean animals are adapted to certain parts of their environment.
Curated OER
Under the Sea
Students imagine and describe fictitious sea animals that might live in the ocean. After reading an article, they reflect on new discoveries found in the ocean recently. Using the internet, they research the interdependence of animals...
National Geographic
Rescuing, Relocating, and Rehabilitating Wildlife
Bring up the Deepwater Horizon (BP) oil spill that occurred in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. Display the colorful diagram of the coastal and marine organisms living in the area. Show a video about relocating the eggs of the Gulf's sea...
Curated OER
We of the Sea: Tribal Native American Stories
A video featuring members of Oregon’s Astoria Native American fishing community launches a study of the oral tradition of poetry, and how traditions are passed down within different cultures. Activities, assessments, extensions and...
Consortium for Ocean Science Exploration and Engagement (COSEE)
Ocean Acidification: Whats and Hows
Open this lesson by demonstrating the production of acidic carbon dioxide gas by activated yeast. Emerging ecologists then experiment with seashells to discover the effect of ocean acidification on shelled marine organisms. They measure...
Curated OER
Plastic Pollution
Young scholars determine with math concepts how much plastic pollution is affecting marine life. In this plastic pollution lesson plan, students collect scientific data from a field trip to a water treatment plant.
Curated OER
Zooplankton
Holoplankton are always plankton, whereas meroplankton are only plankton as larvae. Reveal several examples of each to your young marine biologists with this PowerPoint presentation. The first seven slides, an introduction to...
Curated OER
Phytoplankton
Tomorrow's marine biologists journey through the world of phytoplankton when viewing this slide show. They are exposed to the shapes and life cycle of diatoms, and introduced to dinoflagellates, coccolithophorids, and silicoflagellates....
Curated OER
The History of Life on Earth
Using meters as years, your class works together to map out the geologic time scale on a football field. Plenty of background information is included in this lesson plan as well as several resource links and a student worksheet. Your...
Curated OER
Oddball Out: Birds, Fishes, Marine Mammals
In this science worksheet, pupils analyze 4 animal pictures in a row. Students circle the animal which is different from the others. There are 4 rows of pictures. Answers are provided upside down at the bottom of the page.
Curated OER
Blue Planet: Seas of Life - Tidal Seas
After viewing the video Blue Planet: Seas of Life, young scholars review oceanic concepts. In this earth science lesson plan, students reflect on the effect tides have on living things and conduct research to create a "tidal trivia"...
NOAA
I Can't Breathe!
The Gulf of Mexico dead zone, an area of low oxygen that kills marine life, costs the United States $82 million every year. Young scientists research anoxic ocean environments then come up with a hypothesis for the cause of the Gulf of...
Curated OER
Water Will, Water Way
Young scholars test tap water for hardness and mineral content. In this environmental science instructional activity, students identify the different stages of the water cycle. They classify plant and animals according to the rules of...
Curated OER
Take Only Photos and Leave Only Bubbles: Learn About American History from a Sunken Spanish Galleon
Students simulate the research process of investigating a shipwreck. In small groups, they conduct Internet research, and develop and write a proposal for excavation of the archaeological site.
Curated OER
Introduction to Coral Reefs
Students identify locations of coral reefs, both in the water and around the globe, identify relative depth of corals in the ocean by observing behavior of cold and warm saltwater, and create models of coral reefs.
Curated OER
Something Fishy Going On
Students create a video animation of how Swimmy gathered his fish friends together to form a great big fish that would frighten the predator tuna away. In art class each child create a small red fish which gets displayed in the ocean...
Curated OER
Ocean Habitats
Students examine the water samples from a demonstration and discuss the difference between fresh and salt water. They draw different animals that live near or in the ocean and how humans can harm the ocean habitat. They draw pictures of...
Curated OER
The Magic School Bus Takes a Dive
Students learn along with Ms. Frizzle's class. In this Magic School Bus lesson plan, students find out how partners can help run a race just as Wanda learns that survival on the coral reef often depends on cooperation.
Curated OER
Careers Lessons 2 - How Can I Get There from Here?
High schoolers identify differences between jobs and careers, and identify career areas within the broad field of oceanography. They research, compare and contrast requirements needed to become a practitioner of various oceanographic...
Curated OER
investigating and Modeling Sea Urchin Fertilization and Development
Young scholars begin by using clay to model fertilization and early development of sea urchins and chordates. They move on to mixing live sea urchin sperm and ova together to observe, diagram and record events occurring in fertilization...
Curated OER
Beach Cleanup at a Local Beach
Students participate in an environmental clean-up activity. In this environmental lesson, students travel to a local beach. Working in small teams, students collect trash from the local beach. Returning to school, students sort the trash...
Curated OER
The Salmon Estuary And Human Impacts
Young scholars have discussions and complete activities about the pacific salmon life cycle and marine parasites. In this salmon lesson plan, students complete activities such as observing sea lice, playing a tag game, and a board game.
Curated OER
From the Gulf of Mexico to the Moons of Jupiter
Students compare deep ocean conditions to those found on the moons of Jupiter. In this Earth science instructional activity, students consider the possibilities and conditions needed to support simple life. Students examine the habitats...