Curated OER
Sea-ing More Clearly
Students explore historical importance of fish as food source, examine works of Robert Harris, create their own fish, and compose accompanying poetry. Students then explore dramatic tradition of Chorus inspired by Greek theatre,...
Curated OER
Who Takes Care of the Maya Forest Corridor?
First graders study the animals in the Maya Forest Reserve. In this conservation instructional activity, 1st graders create a graph to compare the environment of animals to their own. They design a 3D model of these two environments.
Curated OER
Deep Gardens
Students investigate the differences and similarities between shallow-water and deep-sea coral reefs. In this coral reef instructional activity, students research and compare the characteristics of reefs. Students describe...
Curated OER
Treasures in Jeopardy
Students study how coral reefs can be protected from humans and their activities. In this conservation lesson students explain the benefits of coral reefs and what humans can do to help protect them.
Curated OER
Design a Reef!
Students explore coral reef ecosystems. In this ecosystems science lesson, students research coral reef ecosystems to determine the major functions the participating organisms must perform. Students construct a miniature...
Curated OER
Coral Reefs
Students research coral reefs and identify their benefits to humans, threats to the reef, how to reduce and eliminate threats, and more. In this coral reef lesson plan, students research the reefs, and take a field trip to an aquarium.
Curated OER
I, Robot, Can Do That!
Learners describe the three types of underwater robots and the advantages and disadvantages of using them. In this underwater lesson students are given a task and identify the best robot for the job.
Curated OER
What Plants Need in Order to Survive and Grow: Air
Students conduct an experiment to determine whether plants need air in order to survive and grow. They discuss natural resources, analyze slides, and observe and record data from the experiment.
Curated OER
Abiotic and Biotic Factors
Students examine abiotic and biotic factors. They define biotic and abiotic, categorize a list of items onto a Venn diagram, label various items from areas on the school grounds as biotic or abiotic, and diagram a magazine picture.
Curated OER
Fishing For The Future
Students participate in a simulation using M&M's that highlights Garrett Hardin's concept of the "tragedy of the commons." They use the activities to study sustainability issues in the fishing industry.
Curated OER
Net Results
Students investigate through role play how decisions by watermen, recreational fisherpeople, and lawmakers influence and are influenced by economics and the abundance or scarcity of fish and shellfish stocks. They consider social,...
Curated OER
To Culture or Not to Culture
Students study the pros and cons of the aquaculture industry after reading hypothetical case study. They simulate a town meeting debate about aquaculture.
Curated OER
Busy Otters
Students prepare for a trip to an aquarium by identifying otters, their body parts and behaviors as they read "Pup's Supper", do an otter pantomime and make a puppet. After their field trip, they complete a Venn Diagram of Otter behaviors.
Curated OER
Surface Tension Grabbers
Students use the following quick activities to comprehend what surface tension is: 1. Fill a gas bottle with water. Place an uncentered burner screen over the bottle. Hold the screen in place with your finger and invert the bottle on...
Curated OER
Estuarine Currents
Students experiment observing a demonstration on models of density-driven currents which are typically found in an estuarine system of water flow. They compare/contrast water temperature and salinity to the formations of estuarine currents.
Curated OER
Design a Deep- Sea Vertebrate or Invertebrate
Learners design a deep-sea animal. In this research based activity, students research and design a vertebrate or invertebrate that lives in a methane hydrate habitat. They compile a class chart of the adaptations animals have in this...
Curated OER
I, Robot, Can Do That!
Learners describe underwater robots. In this robot lesson, students describe and contrast three types of underwater robots used for scientific exploration. This lesson includes several activities, a handout, background data, and multiple...
Curated OER
Boom and Bust
Learners investigate commercial fishery. In this fishery lesson, students describe stages in commercial fishery, interpret data and predict when a fisher stock is showing signs of overexploitation.
Curated OER
Stream Table
Students explore channelization, riparian habitats and soil erosion to find out about the aquatic habitats in Iowa. In this aquatic habitats lesson, students define important terms and read an article about pollution. ...
Curated OER
Underwater Hide and Seek
Students explain why color patterns that are easy to see above water may be difficult to detect under water and experience the problems predators face when searching for camouflaged prey.
Curated OER
Cathedral in the Sea
Learners 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.
Curated OER
Sailors and Sharks
Young scholars use the skills of fleeing and dodging in order to avoid being tagged. They begin standing on the ships (mats). One student, the shark, wears a pinney. At the signal from the teacher of "Sailors swim", the sailors scatter...
Curated OER
A Whale of a Problem
Students evaluate the possible causes contributing to the decline of the killer whale population from a number of differing perspectives. They present their findings in a talk show format and in letters of advocacy regarding
Curated OER
Properties of the Ocean: Change
Students research and create a visual presentation on the seasonal salinity of the Earth's oceans. They apply the research in a simulation of a lab disaster in which they must relabel ocean samples.