Lesson Plan
National Geographic

National Geographic: Human Impacts on Marine Species

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students learn about three examples of human impacts on marine life: migration patterns and shipping, algal blooms and water chemistry, and marine debris. Some of these impacts are due to human activity in the ocean, and some impacts on...
Lesson Plan
National Geographic

National Geographic: Human Impacts on the World Ocean

For Teachers 9th - 10th
In this lesson, young scholars are introduced to the idea that humans have enormous impacts on marine ecosystems and resources, and explore the stakeholders involved.
Lesson Plan
National Geographic

National Geographic: Ecosystem Imbalance in the World

For Students 9th - 10th
In this lesson, students build on their knowledge of individual impacts on the ocean to see how the whole system can react to threats and changes. They examine ways in which human actions throw marine ecosystems out of balance, explore...
Article
American Institute of Biological Sciences

Action Bioscience: Discovering Amazing Life in the Deep Sea

For Students 9th - 10th
A research biologist at the Monterey Aquarium and a professor at UC-Santa Cruz is interviewed to explain the studies done in the deep sea. Steven Haddock addresses the purpose of uncovering the mysteries of life and environment lying out...
Handout
Other

Seafriends Marine Conservation and Education Centre: Oceanography: Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
A very detailed article on the characteristics of waves and wave behavior. It discusses the influence waves have on the marine environment and the global climate, the physics of wave motion, the interactions between waves and wind, wave...
Website
NASA

Nasa: Oceanography

For Students 9th - 10th
Join NASA in its study of oceanography and learn about the Earth system, the physical ocean, and life in the ocean. Try out the Giovanni: Earth Data Visualization Tool and access satellite-derived data to enhance the learning experience.
Activity
Science Buddies

Science Buddies: Harmful Algal Blooms in the Chesapeake Bay

For Students 9th - 10th
Harmful algal blooms occur when algae, which form the base of the ocean food web, grow in massive numbers and produce toxic or harmful effects on people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals, and birds. In this project you will learn how to...
Handout
Science Struck

Science Struck: Decomposers in the Ocean: Role and Examples

For Students 4th - 6th
Describes five different types of decomposers that feed on decaying organic matter in the oceans and that are at the bottom of the ocean food chain.
Unit Plan
Other

Digital Library for Earth System Education: Teaching Box: Seasonal Upwelling

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A suite of lessons focusing on the process of upwelling. Inquiry-based exploration of seasonal upwelling includes marine food webs, food production in the ocean, wind-driven ocean currents, and seasonal changes in biotic and abiotic...
Activity
National Geographic

National Geographic: Ocean Abiotic Factors

For Teachers 9th - 10th
After looking at examples of biotic and abiotic factors in ecosystems, students focus on abiotic factors in marine ecosystems, the physical processes that are involved, and the impact human activities can have on these. Includes handouts...
Handout
MarineBio Conservation Society

Marine Bio: Heaviside's Dolphins

For Students 9th - 10th
Illustrated reference guide features useful information on the Heaviside's dolphin with facts on physical characteristics, behavior, range, habitat, diet, and conservation status.
Handout
MarineBio Conservation Society

Marine Bio: Hourglass Dolphins

For Students 9th - 10th
Illustrated reference tool features useful information on the hourglass dolphin with facts on physical characteristics, behavior, range, habitat, diet, and conservation status.
Handout
MarineBio Conservation Society

Marine Bio: Irrawaddy Dolphins

For Students 9th - 10th
Illustrated reference tool features useful information on the Irrawaddy dolphin with facts on physical characteristics, behavior, range, habitat, diet, and conservation status.
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: The Otherworldly Creatures in the Ocean's Deepest Depths

For Students 9th - 10th
Although the deep ocean zone seems like an inhospitable and remote corner of the planet, it is actually one of the greatest habitats on Earth. Lidia Lins explores how so many species thrive in this mysterious underwater world. [5:02]
Handout
World Wildlife Fund for Nature

Wwf: Our Earth: Ecoregions: Habitats: Oceans

For Students 3rd - 8th
An introduction and overview of the ocean habitat, the largest habitat on Earth. Includes links to information about three animals that live in this habitat.
Handout
Exploring Nature

Exploring Nature Educational Resource: Oceans of the World

For Students 3rd - 8th
A set of illustrated fact pages, and some activity sheets, on coral reefs, tidal pools, and ocean ecosystems. Find maps, graphic organizers, and a movie link to tidal zones. Hyperlinks to specialized vocabulary words are also provided....
Unit Plan
TED Talks

Ted: Ted Ed: On Exploring the Oceans

For Students 9th - 10th
Ocean explorer Robert Ballard takes us on a mindbending trip to hidden worlds underwater, where he and other researchers are finding unexpected life, resources, and even new mountains. He makes a case for serious exploration and mapping....
Lesson Plan
PBS

Pbs Teachers: Ocean Careers Exploration

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Investigate careers in oceanography and marine exploration. Create a report on the life, education and career of a member of the Ocean Adventures Expedition team and present it in a creative way.
Unknown Type
EL Education

El Education: In the Zone: Where the Land Meets the Water

For Teachers 6th - 8th
This field guide to the marine organisms of the intertidal zone of Casco Bay was created by 7th grade students in Portland, Maine, as part of a Learning Expedition called, "In the Zone." Students were engaged in scientific research at...
Handout
MarineBio Conservation Society

Marine Bio: Dusky Dolphins

For Students 9th - 10th
Illustrated reference tool provides an overview of the dusky dolphin with details on physical characteristics, behavior, range, habitat, diet, and conservation status.
Website
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Sea Life Is Troubled by Noise

For Students 3rd - 5th
This article from Science a GoGo describes the risks that increasing noise pollution in ocean waters may pose to the creatures that live there. Once you read it, you'll never tap on a fish tank again!
Handout
Enchanted Learning

Enchanted Learning: Zoom School: Oceans

For Students 3rd - 8th
Find out why the oceans are blue and what causes waves by clicking here. There is a table of information about the four oceans as well as interesting facts on waves, salinity, and tides.
Activity
Exploratorium

Exploratorium: Science Snacks: Shell Shifts

For Students 9th - 10th
Investigate the damage that ocean acidification does to the shells of sea creatures.
Article
Society for Science and the Public

Science News for Students: Swirling Seas of Plastic Trash

For Students 9th - 10th
Describes the multitude of plastic trash scientists have found on a beach in Hawaii and in the oceans. Explains what a gyre is, and how plastic trash gets trapped in the eye of a gyre. Looks at the serious impact plastic materials have...