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Benthic Bingo
Students identify organisms of a benthic community. They place the correct organism in the correct community and practice using marine terms. They play this game like a game of bingo.
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Surface Tension Grabbers
Students explore why surface tension is such a very important biological concept. Determination is made on why the myriad of biota that interacts at the air-water interface are vital components of aquatic and marine ecosystems. They...
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Invasives and Macroinvertebrates
High schoolers view macroinvertebrates, or discuss previous collection activity. They graph data on macroinvertebrates in the Hudson River. Students discuss the relationship between habitat, environmental changes, and invertebrate...
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River Research
Students use the internet to research the streams and rivers found in Illinois. Using the information, they identify and describe the rivers and streams along with the physical characteristics of a river ecosystem. They share what they...
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Collecting Plankton
In this science worksheet, learners learn facts about plankton by reading two pages of factual information. Students read about the different kinds of plankton and how it is classified. Detailed drawings are included. There are no...
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Understanding How Researchers Study Dolphins
Students examine how researchers study dolphins and whales. In this scientific research lesson, students complete a Web-based interactive lesson focused on showing how researchers study aquatic mammals. A worksheet and web resources are...
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Mouthwatering Mollusks
Students investigate various forms of aquatic life. They use four senses, touch, taste, smell, and observation to explore mollusks. Students cook and taste various types mollusks, such as mussels, scallops, and squid.
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Build An Island
Students explore erosion. In this science lesson, students build an island and observe the effects of erosion on the island. Students discuss freshwater ecosystems in Hawaii.
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Density Dynamics
Students set up working models demonstrating lake turnover and the formation of deep water masses in the oceans.
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Microfishing
Students use a simple method to collect living microorganisms from natural and/or artificial environments and develop skills in microscopy, observation, drawing, speculation, hypothesizing, oral presentation, and raising questions.
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Fish and Zooplankton Through Remote Sensing
Ecology aces examine sea surface temperature maps and relate temperatures to concentration in fish and zooplankton populations. Take your class to a computer lab and provide experience with actual remote sensing data. Some of the links...
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Land Plants and Algae
Students compare and contrast algae and land plants. For this plant lesson students discover what algae and land plants require for growth. The students discuss experimental design. The students experiment with different treatments of...
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Tree Top Canopy Field Trip
Learners visit the Greenheart Canopy Walkway. In this environmental instructional activity, students experience a coastal rain forest ecosystem. Learners interact and explore the different layers of the rain forest.
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The Wonderful World of Slugs
Examine a slug? Of course, what else would a 2nd grader do with it? Pupils use clues and go on a slug hunt, read a slug story, or make a cooperative group mural of a slug's habitat. While older learners catalog slugs, go on a slug hunt,...
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How Do Plants and Animals Change the Environment Around Them?
If you have elodea and snails in your classroom aquarium, or if you have access to a pond with these organisms, your young biologists can set up a controlled experiment to determine how certain ecosystems respond in light and dark...
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Dissolved Oxygen Lesson
Students investigate what dissolved oxygen is and why it is important to aquatic life and what factors influence levels of dissolved oxygen in a lake. They study how to use MS Excel to make charts to show trends and correlations.
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Water Quality Monitoring
Students comprehend the four parameters of water quality. They perform tests for salinity, dissolved oxygen, pH and clarity or turbidity. Students comprehend why scientists and environmental managers monitor water uality and aquatic...
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Current Events and Fish
Fifth graders examine current events impacting aquatic life in their communities. They search for newspaper, magazine and television reports for information about aquatic life in local bodies of water. Students can write letters to...
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Underwater Habitats
Students make a hydrophone and attach it to their Sea Perch ROVs. They use the hydrophones in conjunction with the underwater cameras on the ROVs to explore their local aquatic environments.
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How about a Little Give and Take?
Middle schoolers design a closed system to test the relationships between plants and animals. They monitor abiotic fluctuations within this living system by using a chemical test kit. They observe how living organisms respond to...
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Seashell Homes
Pupils listen to a story about seashells. They discuss shelled animals. Learners describe the function of seashell. Pupils relate the function of a seashell to their own dwelling. They differentiate between shelled animals that make...
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Who Are the Aliens in Our Inland Seas?
Young scholars work in teams to research specific landforms in Great Lakes Watershed, compile information into data table, and write legend explaining landform for children's book. Students then research area surrounding landform,...
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Water Quality Testing
Student explore factors affecting ecosystems. They test local water samples for pH level. After creating a methodology for data collection, they collect data, compare results, and draw conclusions based upon results.
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Teaching about the Effect of Photosynthesis and
Students demonstrate the effects of photosynthesis and respiration. They decide which variables to analyze in a microcosm study. They produce a written paper, oral presentation, poster, or multi-media presentation