Deep Sea Lesson Plans

Students examine bioluminescence and camouflage of deep sea creatures. In this deep sea creatures lesson, students investigate the visible and near-visible light spectrum. They work in small groups to complete a light, color, and camouflage activity using the given worksheet.

Learners classify deep-sea fish, identify at least three characteristics that are essential to deep sea fish and their survival, name at least two constraints that deep-sea fish must deal with on a daily basis, and create their own deep-sea fish based upon what they have learned and observed.

Students examine the methods and technology that scientists use to study the deep sea and other remote environments.  In this ocean habitats lesson students make observations about organisms from video clips, generate questions and use the Internet to gain scientific information. 

Students use facts and imagination to invent imaginary deep sea creatures. They create a classroom museum exhibit on real organisms from the abyss and write creative stories about these animals. In addition, they write a story to explain the adaptations of an ocean animal.

Students study deep sea exploration and underwater geology, specifically hydrothermal sea vents. They create digital video projects of their own to demonstrate their knowledge, illustrating the discoveries of the explorers of the ocean's abyss.

Students use adding machine tape to plot increasing ocean depths and deep sea historical events.

Investigate deep sea discovery through the emerging technology being built.  In this physical science lesson, students analyze the different types of motion available in the human arm.  Students research educational websites discussing deep sea research and complete worksheets.

Students view a video and research deep sea submersible vessels.  In this technology lesson, students investigate the features necessary on a submersible to help humans survive the high pressures and low temperatures of the deep ocean.  They create vehicle fact sheets and drawings that are attached to a class-created deep sea mural.

Students study the life of deep sea animals. In this deep sea animal lesson, students listen to a read aloud of Leo Lionni's, Swimmy, and use software to write and draw about deep sea animals. They sing a song about the food chain. They publish a class ABC book using research information, a word processing program, and a drawing program.

Students examine the properties in oil in water. For this mixture lesson, students read about the Lophelia II 2010: Cold Seeps and Deep Reef Expedition and look at images of deep sea ecosystems. They experiment or participate in demonstrations of how water behaves in water. They draw conclusions from the information on the student recording sheet.