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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oceans in Motion

For Teachers K - 3rd
This simple activity introduces children to basic marine life as well as to show them the necessity of protecting aquatic environments. Some famous marine life animals are introduced via vocabulary words, then children cut out pictures...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring National Marine Sanctuaries

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research marine ecosystems by creating class presentations.  In this oceanography lesson, students research the different locations of marine sanctuaries by identifying them on a transparency map in class.  Students create...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Saved by a Shark

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore the marine ecosystem and the importance of sharks. In this shark lesson, students look at photos of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary and discuss the animals that live there. They discuss which animals...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Marine & Aquatic Habitats Activities - Marine Ecology

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students enact the life cycle of a sessile animal and quantify the possibility of survival under the conditions given. They then present to the class a new adaptation which will increase the animals chance of survival.
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Unit Plan
Georgia Department of Education

Ga Virtual Learning: Coastal Ecosystems

For Students 9th - 10th
Students are introduced to the various marine environments, their unique formations, origin and identifying characteristics.
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Interactive
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Dive Into Worlds Within the Sea

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn about three different marine ecosystems: coral reefs, the continental shelf, and the deep sea. Interactive game included, which will help players chart the interrelationships among organisms that live in each ecosystem.
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Unit Plan
The Wild Classroom

The Wild Classroom: Biomes of the World: Coastal Ocean Biome

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about the coastal ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.
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Website
The Wild Classroom

The Wild Classroom: Biomes of the World: The Deep Sea Biome

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn all about the abyssal ocean ecosystem. Find out about plants, animals, adaptations, and conservation efforts.
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Handout
University of Florida

South Florida Aquatic Environments: Florida Keys: About the Keys

For Students 9th - 10th
The Florida Museum of Natural History offers an excellent review of the reefs, mangrove and seagrass habitats of the Florida Keys. Spend some time learning about this unique location.
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Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Acid Rain and Aquatic Life

For Students 2nd - 5th
Chemicals from the Earth's atmosphere are making their way down to the planet. Not in spaceships, but in rain. The acid rain can infiltrate ground water, lakes, and streams. How does acid rain affect aquatic ecosystems?
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Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Learning Lab: Contrasts in Blue: Life on the Caribbean Coral Reef and the Rocky Coast of Maine

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Smithsonian Education presents Contrasts in Blue: Life on the Caribbean Coral Reef and the Rocky Coast of Maine. Teachers can download this comprehensive teaching package in which students explore two marine ecosystems, the coral reefs...
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Article
American Institute of Biological Sciences

Action Bioscience: Coral Reefs Under Stress

For Students 9th - 10th
Coral reefs, home to many vibrant plants and animals, are suffering from the affects of climate change and the increase of acid in ocean waters. Delve into the benefits and concerns of these beautiful ecosystems.
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Article
American Institute of Biological Sciences

Action Bioscience: Discovering Amazing Life in the Deep Sea

For Students 9th - 10th
A research biologist at the Monterey Aquarium and a professor at UC-Santa Cruz is interviewed to explain the studies done in the deep sea. Steven Haddock addresses the purpose of uncovering the mysteries of life and environment lying out...
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Article
American Institute of Biological Sciences

Action Bioscience: The Value of Healthy Estuaries

For Students 9th - 10th
An article featuring the complexity of estuaries which highlight the value these systems have to human and wild life.
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Handout
The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry

Abpi: Human and Animal Habitats

For Students 3rd - 6th
An interactive learning game where students answer whether or not certain environments would be suitable for different animals. Printable worksheets are available for review at the end of the activity.
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Unit Plan
Other

Rutgers: c.o.o.l. Class: Physics Project: Plankton and Ocean Current

For Students 9th - 10th
This c.o.o.l. Project focuses on tiny sea plankton and how they move in the oceans. Follow the scientific process outlined on the left, calculate and collect data to form your own predictions.
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Unit Plan
Other

Rutgers: c.o.o.l. Class: Biology Project: Gone Fishing

For Students 9th - 10th
In this C.o.o.l. project, you are given a task to complete. You will predict where fish should be found in a specific region.Follow the steps of the scientific process outlined on the left menu bar. Useful educational tool for both...
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Website
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Institution: Marine Science at the Smithsonian Institution

For Students 9th - 10th
A site for networking many institutions, laboratories, and research groups working in the field of marine science. Has links to many scientists and their research interests.
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Website
Boise State University

Boise State University: Hadalpelagic Zone

For Students 1st - 9th
View images and learn facts about this zone found deep in the ocean.
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Website
Boise State University

Boise State University: Ocean Exploration: Abyssopelagic (Abyssal) Zone

For Students 1st - 9th
Learn about the very cold, dark region of the ocean known as the abyss. Includes information on the origin of the name of this ocean zone, as well as information on its depth and animal life.
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Website
Other

Winston Salem/forsyth Schools: Neritic Zone

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This 25-page teacher resource (Word document) offers information and discussion questions on the ocean's neritic zone.
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Lesson Plan
National Geographic

National Geographic: Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity

For Teachers 9th - 10th
For this unit students explore major marine ecosystems by locating them on maps. Students use marine examples to learn about energy transfer through food chains and food webs and then they discuss how food webs can illustrate the health...
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Lesson Plan
National Geographic

National Geographic: Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A collection of three lessons where students learn about abiotic factors in marine ecosystems, about marine food chains and biodiversity, and about marine food webs and trophic levels. Includes handouts, website links, and a vocabulary...
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Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Sorting the Gulf Ecosystem

For Teachers 1st - 3rd
In this activity, students sort images of organisms into categories such as birds, reptiles, plants, invertebrates, etc. Next they examine the provided poster of the Gulf of Mexico ecosystem and categorize organisms they identify. A...