California Academy of Science
Academy Seafood Market and Fishery
What fishing method is the most sustainable? Find out through a fun, but meaningful game in which your little fishermen use different techniques to see what they catch. After the fishing activity is over, there are several discussion...
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"Global Relations"
Students explain the difference between each of three major ecosystems. They determine the flow of water in the St. Mary's River as it flows out of the river into the bay, and finally out into the Atlantic Ocean and identify where...
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Introduction to Ecology
Eighth graders identify the living and nonliving components of an ecosystem. In this ecology instructional activity, 8th graders explain the role each organism plays. They participate in class discussion and answer a quiz at the end of...
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Discovering the Oasis
Students focus on the types of vegetation and animal life living around local water sources. This lesson can be adapted to any local water source, whether it be a lake, a river, stream or ocean. It has a particular focus on the bird...
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Sea Scape
Students learn about and make models of coral reefs. In this reef ecosystem instructional activity, the class locates a number of coral reefs on a map. They learn how a coral reef is a balanced ecosystem that depends upon all of it's...
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Gray Whales on the Move
Young scholars study whale migration and their natural history. In this migration lesson students plot whale migration on a map and describe their ecosystems.
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Ocean Habitats:
Students investigate the creatures of intertidal zones. They explore the adaptations species make to survive .
National Geographic
Eat an Alien Invader
If you are looking for a lesson about invasive species to ocean habitats, you have arrived! Introduce the concept to learners and have them read an article about marine invasive species. Vocabulary, relevant web links, and a cute handout...
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Under The Sea
In this resource lesson plan, students use non-fiction books to research ocean animals. Students discover the many features of non-fiction books and how to use these features to help them conduct research. Students then categorize ocean...
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Antarctica
Learners explore why Antarctica is so important to the planet. They investigate the physical characteristics. Students create their own unique treaty of governance for Antarctica and discuss how laws are enforced in Antarctica.
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Coral Reefs: Gardens Under the Sea
Students discover the wonders of coral reefs while listening to a book about them. In a Reading Rainbow video activity, they simulate a dive, check equipment and explore a reef. Role-playing as marine biologists, students uncover...
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Exploring Marine Objects
Students identify the sources of water on Earth. In this life science lesson, students list the different plants and animals that live in the ocean. They explore marine objects in the lab and draw them.
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Myth-try Cards Activity
Students read creation myths to learn various cultural explanations for natural phenomena. They select sharks and write myths to explain physical structures, behaviors or roles in ecosystems. They research the animals to provide...
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SPLASH – Monitoring Humpback Whales
Middle schoolers view a video about the humpback whale and why it is endangered. In this endangered species lesson, students recognize the importance of observing and following an endangered species in an ecosystem. Middle schoolers...
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Web of Predators and Prey
Middle schoolers investigate the food chain by researching the Internet. For this ecosystem lesson, students view the video "Competitor and Predator" and read a book from the series "The Magic School Bus." Middle schoolers utilize a...
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Design a Deep- Sea Vertebrate or Invertebrate
Learners design a deep-sea animal. In this research based lesson, 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...
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Food Web Mobile
Students explain the main concepts of food webs and food chains. They
describe the role of animals, plants, and other organisms in cycling energy and matter through a food web by creating mobiles. Lesson contains adaptations for all levels.
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Jelly Critters
Students compare and contrast three different organisms that are considered gelatinous zooplankton. They describe how they fit into marine food webs.
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Animal Habitats
Students study the word habitat and its meaning. They also identify that in order for something to be classified as a habitat there needs to be the proper shelter, food, water, and space.
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Protecting Philippine Reefs
Students watch a slide show about the Philippine Reefs to explore the topic of fish populations. In this reef and fish population lesson, students watch a slide show about fish populations and how the Peace Corps works with Filipinos to...
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Human Impacts to the Sandy Shore
Students investigate human impact on coastal environments. In this coastal environment lesson, students observe human impact on coastal environments. Students sort, classify, and chart marine debris collected on a local beach.
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Coral Reefs Endangered
Students research where in the world coral reefs are located. In this ecology lesson, students create food chains and food web. They simulate growing coral reefs to understand their characteristics better.
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Pollution Solution
Students explore the topic of oil pollution and how it affects the global ocean. They discuss oil spills in recent history and use problem solving skills to decide what strategies could be used to actually clean up an oil spill. Students...
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Field Trip - Marine Science Institute
Students discover the ocean life of the San Francisco Bay. In this ocean lesson, students take a Discovery Voyage of the Bay ecosystem through the Marine Science Institute. Also available are inland voyages, ocean labs, and tidepool...