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...
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Swimming in Acid: Understanding Ocean Acidification

For Students 9th - 10th
The oceans are a precious natural resource, part of Earth's carbon cycle. But what happens if the oceans absorb too much carbon dioxide? Many scientists are concerned that the increased absorption of carbon dioxide is causing them to...
Lesson Plan
National Geographic

National Geographic: Human Impacts on Marine Species

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn about three examples of human impacts on marine life: migration patterns and shipping, algal blooms and water chemistry, and marine debris. Some of these impacts are due to human activity in the ocean, and some impacts on...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian Education: Ocean Planet

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A series of lesson plans designed to be used with the Smithsonian Ocean Planet exhibit (available online). Lesson topics include marine ecosystems, pollution of ocean water, animal strandings, and literature.
Unknown Type
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: O Logy: Marine Biology

For Students 3rd - 8th
Learn about marine biology, life in the ocean. It defines marine biology and provides links to games, stories, videos, and hands-on activities on the topic.
Unit Plan
Utah State Office of Education

Utah State Office of Education: Water's Importance to Life on Earth

For Students 9th
A variety of activities to help students explore the relationship of water to life on Earth. Provides an opportunity to see how ocean levels have changed over time and what effect that can have on living things.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Portal, You Navigate

For Students Pre-K - 1st
Delight in the fresh colors, sights, and sounds on this dynamic site on the ocean. Major categories consist of Ocean Life & Ecosystems, The Ocean Over Time, Ocean Science, and The Ocean and You. New information on sharks, a slideshow...
Lesson Plan
Smithsonian Institution

Smithsonian: Ocean Planet: Interdisciplinary Marine Science Activities

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Smithsonian Institution presents ?Ocean Planet: Interdisciplinary Marine Science Activities?. Through this series of six interdisciplinary lessons, students will look at such things as the organisms in different marine ecosystems, the...
Website
American Museum of Natural History

American Museum of Natural History: Milstein Hall of Ocean Life

For Students 9th - 10th
Tour the museum's famed exhibition hall dedicated to ocean life at this online recreation. Find videos, maps, species specimens, and images that let you experience many of the museum's resources on ocean life right from your desktop.
Lesson Plan
National Geographic

National Geographic: Human Impacts on the World Ocean

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson, students are introduced to the idea that humans have enormous impacts on marine ecosystems and resources, and explore the stakeholders involved.
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

Alex: Diverse Life Forms of the Ocean

For Teachers 9th - 10th
This lesson allows students to view and draw conclusions on the importance of life in the ocean. It uses student created movies to explore what is going on, as well as identifying the zones and diverse life associated with the oceans....
Handout
Other

Seafriends Marine Conservation and Education Centre: Oceanography: Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
A very detailed article on the characteristics of waves and wave behavior. It discusses the influence waves have on the marine environment and the global climate, the physics of wave motion, the interactions between waves and wind, wave...
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.
Unit Plan
The Franklin Institute

Treasures@sea: Exploring the Ocean Through Literature

For Students 2nd - 6th
This extensive resource consists of learning activities that integrate language arts with oceanography. Each activity is based on one of seven books about the ocean and are written to be adaptable. Includes writing activities, games and...
Unit Plan
Tramline

Tramline, Inc.: Virtual Ocean Field Trip

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this enchanting site, students will learn basic principles about oceans and will be introduced to an assortment of sea life, both plant and animal. Other interesting ocean links can be found on the teacher resource section of this link.
Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Ocean Abiotic Factors

For Teachers 9th - 10th
After looking at examples of biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystems, students focus on abiotic factors in marine ecosystems, the physical processes that are involved, and the impact human activities can have on these. Includes handouts...
Lesson Plan
National Geographic

National Geographic: The World Ocean

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A collection of four lessons where students look at the vital role oceans play in our lives, at the hydrosphere and the impact humans have on it, how humans use the oceans and who is responsible for protecting them, and the rationale...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Portal: Corals and Coral Reefs

For Students 9th - 10th
Learn about corals and the importance of coral reefs to ocean ecosystems. Find out how reefs are created, what threats they face, and what kinds of conservation tactics are being used to protect and preserve them.
eBook
Other

Earth Science: Earth's Surface and Heat [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 8th
This textbook chapter looks at the role of temperature in sustaining life on Earth and on weather and climate. It discusses the Earth's movements and the seasons, the circulation of the oceans, wind and weather, and the water cycle....
Handout
PBS

Quest: How Ocean Acidification Affects Shelled Organisms

For Students 5th - 6th
This step-by-step tutorial walks students through the effects of ocean acidification on some shelled marine organisms.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: Deep Ocean Mysteries and Wonders

For Students 9th - 10th
Marine biologist, David Gallo, shows why oceans are important while taking the viewer on a voyage into the ocean and exploring the incredible beauty of marine life. [8:24]
Article
Society for Science and the Public

Science News for Students: Motion in the Ocean

For Students 3rd - 8th
This article reports on recent research that explains why corals are in nearly constant motion. Includes a brief video. [0:16]
Lesson Plan
Scholastic

Scholastic Explorers: Ocean Life

For Teachers Pre-K - 1st
This lesson plan explores how human activity has an impact on turtles, sea otters, and dolphins in different parts of the world. Your young scholars will read field reports from the sites and evaluate data that is offered.
Website
NOAA

Noaa: Ocean Facts on Marine Fish Habitats

For Students 9th - 10th
The depletion of marine fish habitats from NOAA affects more than just the fish - it can affect you too! Learn facts about the importance of habitat preservation for science, and for people like you.