Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Roots of the Mariana Arc

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Plumb the depths of the Submarine Ring of Fire and explore seismic waves with this instructional activity. Junior geologists simulate s-waves and p-waves, calculate their speeds, and then apply the data to discover the material that...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What's Deep in the Ocean?

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Young scholars examine the role of an oceanographer in trying to explore the ocean. Using wax paper, they divide it up to show the sunlight, twilight and midnight zones. To end the instructional activity, they identify the types of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Hide in the Ocean

For Teachers K - 8th
Students observe and discuss the advantages of camouflage, then try their hands at designing a well-camouflaged fish.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Floor Model

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students construct a simulated model of the ocean floor in a shoe box. They determine that the floor of the ocean is composed of hills, plains, ridges, trenches, and sea mounts. They draw out a plan for their ocean floor which includes...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Turning the Tide on Trash: Marine Debris Curriculum

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Seven pages of fascinating reading on marine debris preface the activities in this lesson plan. Four different activities are employed to simulate how the debris is distributed in the ocean and along beaches. Early ecology learners...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Monitoring Life In The Rocky Intertidal Ecosystem

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars 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....
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Dead Zone in the Gulf of Mexico

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students explore hypoxic (low oxygen) conditions in the Gulf of Mexico.  In this ocean habitat lesson, students hypothesis, design and implement an experiment to explain the existence of the "Dead Zone" in the Gulf of Mexico.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

How to Hide in the Ocean

For Teachers K - 8th
Students observe the advantages of camouflage. They design a well camouflaged fish of their own.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Magic School Bus Goes to Mussel Beach

For Teachers Pre-K - 2nd
Students investigate tides and create a model of an intertidal zone. In this hands-on marine science lesson based on a Magic School Bus book, the teacher leads students in a discussion about tides, then helps students model a tide and...
Lesson Plan
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NOAA

Marine Ecosystems

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Be at the top of the food chain when it comes to understanding marine ecosystems. The 21st installment of a 23-part NOAA Enrichment in Marine sciences and Oceanography (NEMO) program investigates marine ecosystems, ocean zones, and food...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Mapping The Ocean Floor

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Young scholars explore and analyze the bottom structure of underwater habitats. They describe and explain what can't see through the collection and correlation of accurate data. Learners assess that technology is utilized as a tool for...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Intertidal Zone: Tide and How Creatures Survive

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Students explore oceanography by completing science worksheets. In this tide pools lesson, students discuss the forces of the tide pools, the animals that live within them, and the impact they have on the rest of the ocean. Students...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under Pressure: How Deep Can They Dive?

For Teachers 2nd - 5th
Students explore geography by conducting an in-class experiment. In this deep sea exploration lesson, students identify the different zones of the ocean and utilize water bottles, masking tape and scissors to conduct a water pressure...
Lesson Plan
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Curated OER

The Water Cycle--Model Simulation

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students build a model to simulate parts of the water cycle. They recognize and explain the essential elements of the water cycle.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Intertidal Zones

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students explore intertidal zones. In this intertidal zones lesson, students work in small groups and use ready-made materials to create a model of intertidal zones. Resources are provided.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Exploring the Beach

For Teachers 6th - 9th
Students explore the beach. In this marine habitat lesson plan, students inspect sand grains, design beach profiles, classify marine life, and examine natural beach habitats. Students use spreadsheets to record data from their activities...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Floor

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students identify ocean floor features. For this earth science lesson, students predict the object inside a close box to make them realize the difficulties scientists faced then. They label the different zones of the ocean floor after...
Unit Plan
University of Southern California

How do Organisms Interact?

For Students 4th - 8th
Examine how organisms interact through a hands-on experience. Learners study population dynamics and distribution during an informative five-lesson unit. The focus is on the ocean environment and the organisms within it.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

Using the New Zealand plate boundary models

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students examine the differences in the effects of the tectonic plates of New Zealand.  In this tectonic plate lesson, students define and explain the process of subduction.  Students recognize the difference in the movement of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salt Marsh in a Pan

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Learners create a model of a salt marsh to discover the impact of pollution and human activities on water-based habitats including bays and the ocean. They recognize the relationship between natural and developed areas. Students impact...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Life In the Flood Zone

For Teachers 8th - 12th
Learners discover how floods occur by visiting the Weather Channel's website. They examine the areas of the United States which are more vulnerable for flooding. They research the history of previous floods and how to protect themselves.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Salt Water Revival

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students produce a high tide. In this Marine Biology lesson, students visit a tide pool to investigate the creatures response to changes in the tide. Students discuss the results of their experimentation.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Under the Sea

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students identify and interpret that non-fiction books have features like a table of contents, a glossary, and an index, which can efficiently help them find information. They also identify how to narrow the search for information by...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Habitats and Deep Sea Environments

For Teachers K - 3rd
Students examine and identify the characteristics of the four zones of the ocean. They discover the amount of diversity in marine habitats. They also explore the adaptations organisms have that have allowed them to survive.