Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Protecting Philippine Reefs

For Teachers 4th - Higher Ed
Students watch a slide show about the Philippine Reefs to explore the topic of fish populations. In this reef and fish population lesson, students watch a slide show about fish populations and how the Peace Corps works...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coastal Biodiversity of South Africa

For Teachers 11th - 12th
Students investigate the biodiversity found along the coast of South Africa. They conduct research using a variety of resources. They use the information in order to write lab reports with the data. The lesson can be adapted to other...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Analyzing Intertidal and Deep Sea Vent Communities

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students study how scientists measure diversity.  In this diversity lesson students look at marine communities and look at data to calculate diversity in 3 different ways.
Lesson Plan
NOAA

Journey to the Unknown

For Teachers 5th - 6th
What's it like to be a deep-sea explorer? Tap into the imaginations of your fifth and sixth graders with a vivid lesson, the second part of a six-part adventure. Learners close their eyes and submerge themselves in an expedition aboard...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Descending to the Challenge: Developing Documentaries About the Deep Ocean

For Teachers 7th - 12th
The video clip that comprises the warm up is not available, but the related article from The New York Times and the movie trailer for Aliens of the Deep are, leaving enough material to make this a fascinating lesson on deep-sea...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Natural Inquirer

For Teachers 4th - 12th
Students interview wildlife experts to gain information needed to research and write a report about an aquatic plant or animal affected by climate change.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is Coral?

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students discuss what they know about coral reefs and are introduced to the importance of preserving coral reefs. In this coral reef lesson, students make connections between coral ecology in the classroom and in the real environment...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Formation And Types of Coral Reefs in Insular Southeast Asia and their Inhabitants

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students study the geological formation and inhabitants of the coral reefs in Southeast Asia. They investigate how the effects of weather and human activity on these ecological systems.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Dinoflagallates of Bioluminescent Bay

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders research dinoflagallates of the Bioluminescent Bay. They research the Internet for pictures of the Bio Bay and discuss the difference between ecosystems and ecoregions. They research a marine ecoregion and create a poster.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Will, Water Way

For Teachers All
Students complete a unit on biodiversity and their significance to pharmaceuticals. They
Lesson Plan
Michigan Sea Grant

Fish Habitat and Humans

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Strict habitat requirements are needed for the survival of fish populations and fish variety in the Great Lakes. Young scientists become experts in the basic needs of fish and understand how survival necessities can vary with different...
Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Determining Stream Health by the Diversity and Types of Benthic Organisms

For Teachers 8th - 12th
How diverse are the benthic organisms found in local streams? Using the information learned in previous lessons on identification of macroinvertebrates and on calculating stream index values, groups determine the health of local...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Gulf of Maine

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Young scholars examine their own environments and make connections to larger ecosystems. They watch a video about the gulf of Maine and record the changes that have occurred. They research the gulf and create a food web.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Making Good Decisions

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students discuss consequences and trade-offs to different scenarios.  In this investigative lesson students learn about compromise and discuss possible options and consequences to certain situations. 
Lesson Plan
Kenan Fellows

Use of Dichotomous Keys to Identify Stream Organisms

For Teachers 8th - 12th
What kind of organisms are living in the stream? After an explanation on how to use a dichotomous key, groups of three to four use the keys to identify macroinvertebrates from a local freshwater stream. Using the the concept of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Why Are The Shore Birds Dying?

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students engage in a field study of birds and how they are in danger harm due to environmental factors. They list different possible causes in a prediction activity. The observations are done while writing up data and connecting it to a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Scientists Write!

For Teachers K - 12th
Learners use a journal to record observations. They make notes about what research may be needed to answer questions that have come up in the field and sketch or make connections in the curriculum. They research bioinformatics and...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coral Reefs

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students research coral reefs and identify their benefits to humans, threats to the reef, how to reduce and eliminate threats, and more. For this coral reef lesson plan, students research the reefs, and take a field trip to an aquarium.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lessons: Food Web

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students use an interactive web-based food web game to gain familiarity with tropic levels and interactions. They already understand that in an ecosystem there are four basic tropic levels: producers, primary consumers, secondary...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Good, The Bad and The Arctic

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Students examine the impact of a major climate change in the Arctic Ocean on the rest of the world. They use the Internet to research the Arctic region and the wildlife that lives there.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Good, The Bad, and the Arctic

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students investigate the social, economic and environmental consequences that might result from Arctic climate change. Students identify and discuss at least three consequences.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Journey to the Unknown

For Teachers 5th - 6th
Learners explore the ocean depths. In this scenario based lesson plan, students pretend they are on a submarine in an unknown part of the ocean. By using clues the class discusses and determines where they are in the ocean. They follow...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oil Spill Dangers

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students analyze the effects of oil spills on our environment and develop action plans to protect animals and habitats.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Animal Characteristics

For Teachers 2nd - 6th
Students investigate the characteristics of animals by creating a chart. In this animal life lesson, students create a KWL chart listing all the different animals a class can name. Students take a field trip to a science facility to get...