Curated OER
Anchors Away
Students explore the unique world of the ocean community. They examine cloud formation, habitats and the food chain.
Ask a Biologist
It’s a Plankton Eat Plankton World
For as small as they are, plankton sure play an enormous role in maintaining marine ecosystems. Dive into an investigation of these tiny organisms with a hands-on life science activity in which children cut out pictures of sea animals...
Curated OER
Seaworthy Presentations
First graders research ocean animals and plants on the web. For 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 animals or...
Curated OER
Energy Through the Ecosystem
In this ecosystem activity, learners use a diagram of an ocean-based food web to complete 5 short answer questions about the energy flow through this ecosystem.
Dawn N . Ericson
California Kelp Forest Restoration
This unit is so cool, you won't be able to "kelp" yourself! Intended for all grades, this science and activity guide for teachers offers a unique opportunity to understand kelp's role as a valuable ecological resource. Teachers and...
Curated OER
Antarctica
Students 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.
Curated OER
Phytoplankton and Ocean Color
Fifth graders identify function of phytoplankton in the biospere by conducting experiments and simulations and reading for information. They detect the presence of phytoplankton in bodies of water by examining ocean in satellite images...
Curated OER
Wild Arctic
Students explore key terms, including food web and food chain. They discuss Arctic plants and animals, devise at least three Arctic food chains and create a food web showing connections among Arctic life.
Curated OER
Web of Predators and Prey
Students investigate the components food chains and food webs in various ecosystems. They describe how living things depend on one another for food energy (food chain) and how more than one food chain exists in an ecosystem
Curated OER
Oceans Away
Students explore oceans. In this science lesson plan, students locate oceans, seas and continents of the world, identify ocean-related occupations, and complete activities pertaining to food chains as well as pollution.
Curated OER
Sharks: Scavenging Stomachs
Young scholars examine the role played by sharks in the marine food chain. They conduct a scavenger hunt collecting items that have actually been removed from the stomachs of sharks, and create a display that includes the items and...
Curated OER
Animals of the Fire Ice
Students examine ocean life by identifying methane hydrates. In this ocean life lesson, students research organisms that live in the coldest, deepest parts of the ocean and live off methane hydrates. Students create a group...
Curated OER
Tracking Ocean Ecology
Students look at the data maps given to them about how chlorophyll affects the algae blooms and make predictions about the harm they will cause. In this data maps lesson plan, students manipulate data sets from the website.
Teach Engineering
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is one of several garbage patches around the world where garbage accumulates naturally. As part of a GIS unit that combines oceanography, environmental science, and life science, class members investigate...
Curated OER
Sea Connections: Marine Ecosystems
Students identify producers and consumers from marine ecosystems and describe the balance among them in the environments. After constructing a food chain from a marine ecosystem, they examine human activities that can upset the balance...
Curated OER
Water is Life
Krill is a very small ocean animal that is key to keeping the ocean ecosystem going. The class reviews food webs and chains, learns about the importance of krill, discusses krill anatomy, builds a model of a krill, and then has a...
Curated OER
Amphipod Ecology
Learners count amphipods under kelp wracks of varying ages to explain how long it takes for them to find their food source. They collect and represent the data.
Curated OER
Lesson 9 - Along Our Coast
Learners study the benefits of estuaries. They construct a saltwater food web, and complete worksheets and a quiz.
Curated OER
Whale Watcher Game Lesson
Students study the gray whale migration and compare their populations to the increasing ocean temperature. In this whale watcher lesson students draw a food chain.
Curated OER
Fisheries
High schoolers research and report on the ocean's problems of disappearing or diminishing species around the world. students examine ecosystems and food chains and present their findings to a mock panel of science experts.
Curated OER
Along Our Coast
Students explore the coast lines of Florida. They examine the benefits of estuaries and examine the estuary systems found along the coast. Students research and construct a saltwater food web.
Curated OER
Life in the Ocean
In this ocean life worksheet, students review the animal and plant plankton and photosynthesis in the ocean. Students fill in the blank of 15 statements and then find these terms in a word search.
Curated OER
Reef Sharks!
Students visit an ocean aquarium exhibit where they can observe Black tip reef sharks. They observe the shark's behavior and read any information exhibited on the walls. They complete a worksheet based on information collected.
Science Matters
That’s An Otter Story
Young scientists discover how sea otters' habitats have changed due to human impact. Through conversation, video observation, and story reading, scholars identify how human interactions change a specific ecosystem in both positive and...