Curated OER
Alien Invasion
Learners research how alien species can change an ecosystem. In this coral reef lesson, students describe invasive species and site evidence how these species came to be invasive and what control measures are possible.
Curated OER
History's Thermometers
Ancient coral beds give scientists clues to past ocean temperatures in much the same way that tree rings indicate historical weather conditions. High school scientists examine coral oxygen isotope ratios and plot the data as a function...
Curated OER
Big Fleas Have Little Fleas
A benthic habitat hosts a vast collection of organisms and its structure influences the biodiversity. Middle-school marine biology explorers will discuss how corals impact structure, and therefore diversity, on the ocean floor. They draw...
Curated OER
Properties of the Ocean: Measurement
Students simulate the development of an underwater amusement park after reading background on Coral Reef State Park. They decide which factors they would need to consider such as the ocean floor, currents, wave patterns and water...
Curated OER
Currents: Bad for Divers; Good for Corals
High schoolers describe, compare, and contrast major forces that drive ocean currents. They discuss the general effects of topography on current velocity. They discuss how velocity affects the ability
Curated OER
Seaworthy Presentations
First graders research ocean animals and plants on the web. In this ocean habitat lesson, 1st graders prepare a multimedia presentation. Students will work on their presentations in pairs and every group should have its own...
American Museum of Natural History
Journey to Deep Sea Vents
Take a deep dive into oceanography. The online interactive allows for learners to board a submersible to dive to the bottom of the ocean to investigate sea vents. On the way down, individuals see different marine life at different...
Curated OER
Where's My Bot?
Learners estimate geographic position based on speed and air travel. In GPS lesson students use GPS to estimate the set and drift of currents.
Curated OER
Conservation and Environmental Protection
Students brainstorm a list of environments and animals from around the world that need protection. They then design and create a slogan about an animal or environment and an environmental protection poster.
Curated OER
Animal Classification
Students list characteristics and features of animals found in their community. They then group the animals according to how they are similar and different and create names for each group. They then create a chart of their...
Curated OER
What's So Special?
Students study the biology and morphology of Lophelia corals. In this investigative activity students explain how the coral contributes to communities, and create a poster.
Curated OER
Ocean Drifters
Students define terms, and identify three ways in which plankton are adapted for life in the open ocean. In this ocean drift lesson students design a planktonic organism.
Curated OER
Life in the Ocean
In this ocean worksheet, high schoolers review the different life forms that can be found in the ocean and how these organisms are connected to each other. This worksheet has 12 short answer questions.
Curated OER
How can deep-water corals be used to determine long-term patterns of climate change?
Young scholars explore the concept of paleoclimatological proxies. In this paleoclimatological proxies lesson, students explain isotope ratios in deep water coral samples. Young scholars write a paragraph about global climate...
Curated OER
Chapter 18 Oceans
In this earth science worksheet, learners identify and locate various vocabulary terms pertaining to the ocean and living things found in the ocean. There are 27 ocean terms located in the word search.
Curated OER
Oceans Puzzle
In this oceans word search puzzle, students identify terms related to the ocean. Examples include words such as swells, tide, and island. A list of 18 words is provided to assist students in their search.
Curated OER
Coral Reef Choreographic ProjectTo
Students enhance their understanding of how animals function in a habitat.Students are scattered individually and in small groups. About half of students make coral shapes in small groups. The other half of students move like animals in...
Curated OER
How to Hide in the Ocean
Students observe and discuss the advantages of camouflage, then try their hands at designing a well-camouflaged fish.
Curated OER
Ocean Vocabulary
In this vocabulary worksheet, students match words related to the ocean to their definitions. Worksheet is labeled as a quiz, but may be used as review/practice.
Aquarium of the Pacific
Ecosystem Comparison
Fifth graders examine plants and animals in two ecosystems and compare them. In this ecosystem survival instructional activity, 5th graders compare and contrast a coral reef and kelp forest ecosystem. Students investigate the...
Curated OER
Climate, Corals, and Change
Students examine oxygen isotope ratios and how they are related to water temperature. They also identify three forcing factor changes for climate change.
NOAA
Exploring Potential Human Impacts
Arctic sea ice reflects 80 percent of sunlight, striking it back into space; with sea ice melting, the world's oceans become warmer, which furthers global warming. These activities explore how humans are impacting ecosystems around the...
Curated OER
A Piece of Cake
Students examine life under the sea to discover coral gardens and microhabitats. They demonstrate learning by creating an edible marine ecosystem with a sheet cake, icing, and different candies.
Curated OER
Coral Bleaching in the Caribbean
Students use authentic satellite data on the NASA website to determine when the sea surface temperature meets the criteria to induce coral bleaching.