Students study how to interpret a bathymetric map. They study the main features of the continental margin. They plot and graph bathymetric data. They think about and discuss the bathymetry of the edge of the cont

Elementary schoolers identify the ocean floor in a geological sense. They create a presentation that highlights the key features of the ocean floor. This terrific lesson plan has excellent streaming video segments embedded in it, and the...

Sediment samples from the ocean bottoms tell scientists about climate change, pollution, and changes in erosion for the area. Groups of learners focus on sediments and their movement through water. During a hands-on activity, they...

Marine biology beginners read about the 2005 Florida Coast Deep Corals expedition, research phylum Cnidaria, and then report on a specific coral deep-sea coral group. There is an abundance of background information and internet resources...

In small groups, middle schoolers research deep-sea coral reefs and design a poster to educate the public about their importance. They compare them to shallow-water reefs and consider the impact of bottom-trawl fishing. Many internet...

For this lesson sixth grade students get into groups and research a given ocean habitat. The major features of cold-seep communities are the objective but plenty information is given about other habitats which could be assigned to...

Students plot data to construct and interpret a graph about vestimentiferans at cold-seep sites in the Gulf of Mexico. In this deep sea lesson, students plot data provided for the growth of tubeworms. They use the graphs to determine...

Students describe major features of cold-seep communities and the process of chemosynthesis as it relates to organisms in each habitat.  In this deep-sea habitats instructional activity, students study the...

High schoolers explore corals and polyps.  In this coral reef lesson students divide into groups and prepare a written report. 

Students explore and model the characteristics of the ocean floor and near shore environments through in-class demonstrations, laboratory activities, and internet research. They use classroom materials to research the characteristics of...

Students explore the process of chemosynthesis and relate it to the biological communities in cold seeps. In this biochemistry lesson students interpret analyses of enzyme activity and draw inferences about organisms in cold seep...

Students describe major features of cold seep communities and list the organisms that are typical in these communities. In this deep sea environment instructional activity students work in groups and research their given cold seep...

Students explain the process of chemosynthesis and its relevance to biological communities. For this investigative lesson students discuss chemosynthetic communities, then in groups they are assigned a species and are to calculate the...

Students compare and contrast deep sea coral reefs to shallow water reefs.  In this coral reef lesson students develop a poster that could be used to educate the public about the importance of coral reefs. 

High schoolers compare deep ocean conditions to those found on the moons of Jupiter. In this Earth science lesson, students consider the possibilities and conditions needed to support simple life. High schoolers examine the habitats and...

Students use newspapers and television stories to search for mysterious behavior. Using mysteries in the airline industry, they identify the economic concept and the steps to unravel the mystery. They answer a mystery question to help...

Students examine satellite images of the glacial features of Cape Cod. They analyze where human activity is located in terms of those features. Students make models of the features, including kettle holes. They also use contour maps...

Sixth graders view an animated program showing how the continents fit together millions of years ago. In groups, they compare and contrast the distribution of rocks and fossils based on how the continents fit together. After reading a...

Students investigate and analyze the patterns of sedimentation in the Hudson Canyon students observe how heavier particles sink faster than finer particles. They study that submarine landslides (trench slope failure) are

Students explore the process of chemosynthesis and contrast this process with photosynthesis. They consider the relevance of chemosynthesis to biological communities in the vicinity of cold seeps.

Students explain the process and significance of chemosynthesis. They develop their own graphic based on data of a biological community. They estimate the age of a given species as well.

Young scholars study microsatellite markers and explain how they might be used to identify populations. They use data to make inferences about the populations of deep-sea corals.

Students investigate the four different ways tectonic plates interact at their boundaries. Using simple available materials, they create models to simulate these interactions present at plate boundaries.

Students learn about glacial and volcanic features by examining and comparing bathymetric and topographic images of the Sand Point area of Alaska.