NOAA
Watch the Screen!
Can a sponge cure cancer? Life science pupils visit the drugstore under the sea in the fifth activity of six. Working groups research the topic then get hands-on experience by testing the inhibiting effects of several plant extracts on...
Curated OER
Week 8 - Sea Life
Using a magnifier, mini marine biologists examine the barbules of a bird feather. They swirl the it into a mixture of oil and water and then re-examine the feather. After the activity, discuss how the oily feathers pose a problem to sea...
Curated OER
Plankton in the Air
Here is a lab activity adequate for use with any full lesson on environmental factors that shape animal adaptations or marine animal characteristics. Pupils will discuss the role plankton plays in the environment and filter-feeding...
Curated OER
Monitoring Life In The Rocky Intertidal Ecosystem
Students investigate marine life by researching aquatic organisms on the Internet. In this oceanography lesson, students monitor algae and animals of the ocean by identifying their population and habitat on data sheet ID cards. Students...
NOAA
What Killed the Seeds?
Can a coral cure cancer? Take seventh and eighth grade science sleuths to the underwater drugstore for an investigation into emerging pharmaceutical research. The fifth installment in a series of six has classmates research the wealth of...
Curated OER
Every Square Inch Counts
Students monitor the abundance of organisms in photograph quadrats. In this environmental monitoring activity, students view pictures of rocky intertidal and subtidal marine zones and discuss the importance of monitoring organism...
Curated OER
The Good, the Bad and the Nasty Tasting
Learners examine the effect of chemicals from marine plants or animals on predator's preferences. In this ecology lesson, students conduct taste tests and collect necessary data. They write their conclusion after analyzing experimental...
University of Southern California
What Lives In The Ocean?
One of the most diverse environments on Earth is the ocean. Young scientists explore the living things found in the ocean during an exciting seven-lesson unit. Their study includes organisms from plankton to invertebrates and vertebrates...
Curated OER
The Benthic Drugstore
High schoolers examine active chemicals that are in marine invertebrates and how they act to fight diseases. In this marine lesson students identify three pharmacologically-active chemicals, describe their disease fighting action and...
Curated OER
Microfishing
Students use a simple method to collect living microorganisms from natural and/or artificial environments and develop skills in microscopy, observation, drawing, speculation, hypothesizing, oral presentation, and raising questions.
Curated OER
Leaving Home
Students explain the importance of larval dispersal and retention to populations. They collect data on organisms and examine it.
Ocean Explorer
Architects of the Coral Reef
Coral Reefs are the focus of a life science lesson plan. Upper graders look at how coral reefs are formed, how the animals and plants reproduce, and the variety of ways that humans benefit from coral reefs around the world. Groups of...
Curated OER
Design a Reef!
Using a miniature coral reef aquarium kit, young ecologists model this unique ecosystem. They research various coral reef organisms and their niches, and they culminate the project by working together to write a report. Use this activity...
Curated OER
Watch the Screen!
Students explore screening processes for biological activity. In this deep sea lesson students complete a lab activity.
Curated OER
Invasives and Macroinvertebrates
High schoolers view macroinvertebrates, or discuss previous collection activity. They graph data on macroinvertebrates in the Hudson River. Students discuss the relationship between habitat, environmental changes, and invertebrate...
Curated OER
Experimentation with Teratogens on Zebrafish
Students compare mitosis and meiosis with regard to chromosome number in parent cells versus daughter cells, types of cells produced, total number of cells produced, and the number of divisions. In groups, identify and differentiate the...
Curated OER
The Wonderful World of Slugs
Examine a slug? Of course, what else would a 2nd grader do with it? Pupils use clues and go on a slug hunt, read a slug story, or make a cooperative group mural of a slug's habitat. While older learners catalog slugs, go on a slug hunt,...
Curated OER
Molecular Explorations
Students explain the processes for separating DNA from tissue and separating complex mixtures. In this exploratory lesson students complete a lab where they extract DNA.
Curated OER
The Electric Sieve
Students examine different mixtures and how they can be separated. In this electric sieve instructional activity students complete an activity that allows them to separate mixtures.
Curated OER
Seashell Homes
Pupils listen to a story about seashells. They discuss shelled animals. Learners describe the function of seashell. Pupils relate the function of a seashell to their own dwelling. They differentiate between shelled animals that make...
Curated OER
Bioluminescence
Students differentiate chemiluminescence from bioluminescence. In this biology lesson, students explain how fireflies and other animals emit light. They discuss the applications of engineered bioluminescence.
Curated OER
What is Coral?
Students discuss what they know about coral reefs and are introduced to the importance of preserving coral reefs. In this coral reef lesson plan, students make connections between coral ecology in the classroom and in the real...
Curated OER
Ocean Market
Students identify some consumer goods that come from the ocean.
They classify these items into groups, identify their source, and calculate the cost of buying such goods.
Curated OER
Utilizing Community Resources
Learners gain an understanding of scientific methods and use process skills (such as observing, classifying, and predicting) to solve a problem. They develop an understanding of the need for natural preservation.