Curated OER
Secret Agents of Dissolved Oxygen
Students determine the changes in different types of water in a sealed container over time. They investigate how to measure dissolved oxygen, temperature, and carbon dioxide with calculator or computer probe-ware. Students determine the...
Curated OER
Primary Producers
Students examine the role of carbon in the oceans and how phytoplankton determine the levels present. In groups, they practice measuring primary productivity using two methods. They use the internet to research the role of phytoplankton...
Curated OER
When is Dinner Served? Predicting the Spring Phytoplankton Bloom in the Gulf of Maine (College Level)
Students are able to explain the ecological importance of phytoplankton. They describe the components that influence a phytoplankton bloom. Students interpret satellite images in order to correlate buoy data.
Tramline
Tramline, Inc.: Virtual Ocean Field Trip
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.
Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Primary Productivity and Plankton
The oceans contain both the earth's largest and smallest organisms. Interestingly they share a delicate relationship linked together by what they eat. The largest of the ocean's inhabitants, the Blue Whale, eats very small plankton,...
Other
Nesdis: Investigating Oceans: Algae Blooms
Explore how scientists use satellite data to detect and monitor Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs). HABs can be toxic to both humans and marine life. Students will learn how to read and interpret satellite images to better understand HAB events.
Other
Rutgers: c.o.o.l. Class: Biology Project: Gone Fishing
In this C.o.o.l. project, you are given a task to complete. You will predict where fish should be found in a specific region.Follow the steps of the scientific process outlined on the left menu bar. Useful educational tool for both...
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Episd: Aquatic Organisms
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Study the research of aquatic organisms and how they move and live. Be prepared to give examples of the types of these wet organisms.
NASA
Nasa Earth Observatory: What Are Phytoplankton? Fact Sheet
Learn about the characteristics of and different species of phytoplankton. Topics highlighted in this article include photosynthesis, global change, and the marine food chain.
American Museum of Natural History
American Museum of Natural History: Find My Plankton Baby Picture
By observing photos of plankton at different life stages, students can obtain information that will allow them to construct evidence-based accounts of how parents and offspring don't always look alike.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Predicting the Spring Phytoplankton Bloom in the Gulf of Maine
This lesson helps young scholars understand the variables that influence the abundance of phytoplankton. Students will make predictions about the timing of the spring phytoplankton bloom in the Gulf of Maine. Furthermore, data from buoy...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Plankton in the Bay
Students will learn about plankton in relation to the Chesapeake Bay and how they grow and are sampled.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Carbon Dioxide: The Heat Is On
In this activity, students will observe the effect of the gases resulting from a burned fossil fuel on the heat absorption of air and determine the ability of phytoplankton to remove greenhouse gases from the atmosphere. This activity is...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: The Secret Life of Plankton
Explore the life of plankton using this TED Ed lesson that is complete with video, questions, and links to resources for deeper understanding.
Encyclopedia of Earth
Encyclopedia of Earth: Aquatic Plants
Article describing types of freshwater aquatic plants and their characteristics.
Gulf of Maine Research Institute
Gulf of Maine Aquarium: Antarctica: Creating Plankton
A mini-lesson on plankton. After going over the characteristics of plankton, print out the worksheet and have students create there own plankton. A fun project to end a great unit.
Other
The Dirty Dozen Persistent Organic Pollutants
Use this site to learn about the effects of persistent organic pollutants on the ecology of Antarctic coastal waters. Information is presented for both teacher and student researcher.
Other
Rutgers Marine & Coastal Sciences: Cool Classroom
Students and teachers can explore the work of marine scientists and observe the ocean from their computers. Learn about Rutgers Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory, discover why oceanography is important, and see what life is like in...
Other
Bigelow Laboratory: Phytoplankton Background
Take a closer look at phytoplankton. Students can learn about diatoms, dinoflagellates, and phytoflagellates. Teachers can click on the buttons at the top and access lesson that can assist in the teaching of phytoplankton. Standards...
Australian Museum
Australian Museum: Beyond the Reef: Plankton
The Australian Museum explores the many different types of plankton in the Great Barrier Reef and the surrounding Bluewater Zone. Learn information on phytoplankton, zooplankton, holoplankton, and meroplankton.
CPALMS
Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: Antarctic Food Web Challenge
Discover how energy flows as part of a food web. Identify the ultimate source of energy for organisms on Earth.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Algae
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] An overview of the ecology and classification of algae.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Biology: Aquatic Organisms
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Overview of aquatic organisms.
NOAA
Noaa: Estuaries 101 Curriculum: Planet Plankton
Watch a series of videos to learn about the importance of phytoplankton in estuary ecosystems. Then test your understanding by identifying different species of plankton.