Marine Conservation Lesson Plans

Students participate in an activity in which plain and peanut M&M's are used to represent a community of fish. They role-play different scenarios that depict fishing practices by eating or discarding certain M&M's.

Young scholars try to draw and identify a jellyfish from a physical description. After reading an article, they discover new information about cnidarians. In groups, they research and develop dioramas about a specific cnidarian species. They reflect on the evolutionary nature of science.

Students discuss the concept of competition in nature and investigate the competition between the gray seals and harbor seals of Sable Island along with the role of sharks in this ecosystem. They illustrate maps and write prognosis paragraphs.

Students explore the geography and history of Polynesia; become familiar with ancient and modern Polynesian culture and the relationship of Polynesian people with the sea; study American Samoa and Fagatele Bay National Marine Sanctuary; and develop a public action plan to protect the marine resources of the area, drawing upon aspects of local Polynesian culture.

Students explore how government restrictions and over fishing impact the ecosystems of sharks and contribute to or curb their danger to humans. They synthesize their understanding of the issues by creating board games in groups.

Young scholars identify the Seven Seas and the Five Basins; describe how ocean currents affect how and where marine debris moves; identify Pacific Ocean currents; map the starting location where cargo was originally dumped into the ocean and track the movement of the debris; and describe the significance of ocean currents and how they affect humans.

Students identify the Seven Seas and the Five Basins, and examine the significance of ocean currents and how they affect humans. They label a map, answer discussion questions, conduct research, and write a letter.

Students compare the amount of waste that comes from different bags of equivalent amounts of potato chips and decide which would produce the least amount of waste. They discuss recycling and other ways they can reduce waste.

Students examine how the Mariana Trench's natural assets could affect communities worldwide. They analyze a map, identify the location and features of the Mariana Trench, explore various websites, and create a public awareness poster advocating the importance of the Mariana Trench.

Students examine the adaptive capabilities of animals and the effects of global warming on polar regions. They analyze a map, answer true or false discussion questions, conduct research, complete a handout, and research the International Polar Year, 2007-2009.