Curated OER
Reduced Fare
Students discover the relationship between tectonic plate boundaries and the communities of life that thrive at such boundaries. In this biology lesson, students find that methane from oxidized carbon in sediments provides nutrients for...
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Phyto- v. Zoo- Plankton
Students identify two broad groups of plankton: phytoplankton and zoo plankton. They describe the general body adaptations which characterize each group. They discuss and write about what it would be like to be carried around by the...
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Ocean Vocabulary
In this vocabulary worksheet, students match words related to the ocean to their definitions. Worksheet is labeled as a quiz, but may be used as review/practice.
Teach Engineering
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch
The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is one of several garbage patches around the world where garbage accumulates naturally. As part of a GIS unit that combines oceanography, environmental science, and life science, class members investigate...
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Density Currents
Students experiment with currents caused by temperature variations that simulate the origins and flow of polar bottom currents. They discover water density is affected by temperature and salinity, resulting in deep water currents.
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Now, Take a Deep Breath
High schoolers define several laws of pressure and see how they relate to scuba diving. For this ocean explorer lesson students answer questions and complete an activity.
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Corrosion to Corals
Students study galvanic exchange and how it produces electric currents. In this ocean lesson students predict what metals deteriorate in salt water.
Ocean Explorer
Living with the Heat
Young oceanographers study the Submarine Ring of Fire, which is a series of deep-water volcanic vents that come up from the ocean floor. Learners take a close look at the unique ecosystems that are associated with these areas, how these...
Polar Trec
Sea Ice Impact
The arctic seas contain currents that are both warm (with high salinity) and cold (relatively fresh water) that circulate throughout the year. Through discussion, a lab, and a web quest, participants explore the impacts of melting and...
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Glacier Bay Pacific Halibut
The National Park Service has produced a high-quality presentation on the halibut population of Glacier Bay, Alaska. It takes the viewpoint of the marine biologists or rather, ichthyologists, who have been studying the adaptations,...
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Oceans Socratic Questioning
High schoolers participate in a whole class discussion of ocean-floor structures and plate tectonics. They respond to prompts in a structured sequence that lead them to conclusions about the role of plate tectonics in the creation of...
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Seafloor Block Model
Students construct a 3-D block model of the ocean floor to study fundamental earth processes. This is a preconstructed cut out that allows the students to put it together but then to add their own colors as well. There is an evaluation...
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Exploring Marine Ecosystems in the Caribbean and Maine
Students compare the marine habitats of Maine and the Caribbean using temperature, tides, ocean currents, latitude and longitude. In this marine ecosystems lesson, students analyze maps to complete graphic organizers that evaluate the...
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Plate Tectonics: Second Grade Lesson Plans and Activities
Second graders explore convection currents and how they relate to the movement of tectonic plates. Then, young geologists reconstruct Pangaea with a worksheet and pinpoint plate boundaries on a map using locations of earthquakes and...
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Water Density and Salinity
Middle schoolers observe how different water densities control the depth at which different water masses occur. They explain one fact that they comprehend about salt water. Students comprehend that temperature and salinity affect the...
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Stacking Water
Learners experiment with different salinities of water using straws and different colors of water. They collect and interpret data from the experiment.
It's About Time
Succession in Communities
What occurs following a natural disaster? High schoolers research this question and others as they investigate natural succession after a disaster. First, as they differentiate between primary and secondary succession, they explain how...
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What Was for Dinner?
Students examine energy obtaining strategies that are used by organisms in deep reef communities. In this ocean activity students complete an isotope activity.
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Hot, Cold, Fresh and Salty
Students observe the effects of layering water and what is more or less saline than normal. For this geoscience lesson students create saline solutions, layer them and observe how the water becomes different temperatures in different...
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Knowledge Quiz
In this oceans quiz worksheet, students complete a 10 question multiple choice quiz covering a variety of concepts related to the ocean.
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Reading Comprehension: Oceans
In this ocean comprehension activity, learners read a short passage, then complete 4 short answer questions about oceans. Worksheet contains a link to additional activities.
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Deep Sea Fishing for Facts
Third graders read each question and click on the Web link located next to it. They find the answer to the question and type in their answer below the questions. When finished, they print off their page and turn it in.
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Under The Sea
Second graders study how a tsunami is formed by underwater events such as earthquakes, volcanoes or landslides. They discuss what they knew about living and non-living things in the ocean.
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Basket Stars
In this basket stars instructional activity, students read a 1 page article on basket stars, define 8 vocabulary words and answer 7 short answer questions in complete sentences.