Worksheet
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The Beluga Whale, Otters

For Students 5th - 6th
In these internet activity worksheets, students complete research related to the Beluga Whale and otters. Student are able to answer questions by following directions to help them navigate around a website.
Lesson Plan
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'O'opu Life Cycle

For Teachers 2nd - 4th
Students investigate the life cycle of the 'o'opu also known as Hawaiian gobies.  In this amphidromous living lesson, students discuss the reproductive cycle, create props and an obstacle course to demonstrate the importance of the...
Lesson Plan
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Feeding in the Flow

For Teachers 9th - 12th
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) has developed a tremendous library of ocean-themed lessons that can be used in a variety of science settings. "Feeding in the Flow" is one of those activities; Its focus is on...
Lesson Plan
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Habitats and Adaptations

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Learners research and describe the habitat and adaptations of a reef animal. After the student is assigned a habitat, they design and draw a cresture adapted to eat each food and to live in each habitat.
Worksheet
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Climatic Changes

For Students 6th - 8th
In this weather worksheet, students read an excerpt describing the climate and extinction. Then they explain what the climate was like during the Age of Dinosaurs. Students also determine some factors that affected the climate during...
Lesson Plan
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Impacts to the Open Ocean

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students investigate how human beings impact ocean ecosystems. For this ocean ecosystem lesson, students explore how marine debris affects marine life. Internet resources are provided.
Lesson Plan
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Chewin' in the Chesapeake

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students examine a web page on food webs and select a habitat to research.  In this research activity students identify the organisms found in the food web and present their findings to the class.
Worksheet
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The Excretory System

For Students 8th - 9th
In this excretory system instructional activity, students read a brief excerpt about water balance and the excretory system. Then they identify what compound birds, insects and reptiles living in dry habitats excrete. Students also...
Lesson Plan
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Marine Ecosystems

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Students identify producers and consumers and construct a food chain from four marine ecosystems. They describe the delicate balance among organisms in each environment. In groups, students discuss the human activities that upset the...
Lesson Plan
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Species on the Edge

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students describe factors negatively affecting population of sea turtles, and identify and discuss action that can be undertaken to reduce or eliminate threats to sea turtles and other endangered species.
Lesson Plan
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Changing With the Tide

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young scholars describe three different aspects or life forms of the salt marsh. They compare and contrast the low and high marsh. Students explain what happens in different areas of the marsh at low and high tide; and explain the roles...
Lesson Plan
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How Are Open Ocean Organisms Structured for Their Environment?

For Teachers 4th - 5th
Students explore biology by conducting an animal dissection. In this oceanography lesson, students identify the life cycle of a squid and other animals that are involved with commercial fishing. Students dissect a squid in class and...
Lesson Plan
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Life on the Hardbottom

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students find similarities and differences between a biotrope habitat and an ecosystem.  In this hardbottom biotrope lesson, students research and respond to inquiry questions about a biotrope.  Students identify three...
Lesson Plan
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Easy as Pi

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners describe the importance of structural features that increase surface area in a coral reef habitat.  In this investigative lesson plan students quantify the impact of modifications on surface area in model habitats. 
Lesson Plan
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A Lesson in Biodiversity: Making Comparisons Between Defensive Mechanisms Utilized by Marine Organisms

For Teachers 5th - 8th
If your upper elementary or middle school marine biology learners are going to visit an aquarium, then here is a field trip activity guide for you. It is written specifically for The Maritime Aquarium, but the idea can be adapted to...
Lesson Plan
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A Bioluminescent Gallery

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Students examine the different types of luminescence in deep sea organisms. In this bioluminescence instructional activity, students investigate how color and light aide deep ocean organisms by describing the characteristics of the...
Lesson Plan
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Estuaries, Estuarine Habitats, and Adaptations

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Pupils conduct research on estuaries. They design and construct an estuary, describe the physical characteristics of an estuary, and create a diagram illustrating an estuarine food web.
Lesson Plan
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National Marine Sanctuaries Fish

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Information is provided on Gray's Reef, Florida Keys, and Flower Garden Banks marine sanctuaries. Young marine biologists then visit the FishBase and REEF databases to collect fish species information for each location. They then...
Lesson Plan
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Predator Protector Game

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students take on the role of an Ocean Adventures expedition volunteer member and are charged with protecting three species of sharks from danger in order to defend the balance of nature in the ecosystem. They play an online game which...
Lesson Plan
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Species on the Edge

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students study science. In this endangered species instructional activity, students examine sea turtles and actions that can be taken to help keep them alive. They work in small groups to research different species of turtles and share...
Lesson Plan
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Animal Habitats

For Teachers 1st - 2nd
Young scholars research an animal and their habitat. In this animal habitat lesson, students observe a WebQuest that describes the different habitats: deserts, tundra, rainforest, forest, and ocean. They determine which habitat their...
Lesson Plan
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Getting Food

For Teachers K - 4th
Students complete activities to learn about the ocean food web. In this ocean life lesson, students discuss how the tides affect feeding, learn about filter feeders, grazers, predators, and scavengers. Students then group the animals...
Lesson Plan
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Is This a House for Hermit Crab?

For Teachers 1st
First graders identify text that uses sequence or other logical order. They identify and interpret how different plants and animals inhabit different kinds of environments and have external features that help them thrive in different...
Lesson Plan
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Survival in the Open Ocean

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine how scientists conduct pelagic research and identify pelagic predators as they study the open-ocean ecosystem. They discuss and conduct small group research of this environment in order to produce a presentation.