Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Phytoplankton in the Gulf of Maine

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students use satellite data to see the correlation between sea temperature and sunlight in the Gulf of Maine.  In this phytoplankton activity students use Excel to analyze data. 
Lesson Plan
California Academy of Science

Buoyancy Bulls-Eye

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Why does a seastar sink, but a jellyfish float? Through a fun investigation, learners examine the concept of buoyancy using simple household items. The challenge: create neutral buoyancy for an action figure in water. With ample...
Lesson Plan
Polar Trec

Nature's Density Column

For Teachers 6th - 10th Standards
Nature provides density columns in the polar regions that provides food for many animals. Young scientists build their own density columns with water in order to answer analysis questions. Through a slideshow presentation, scholars...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

BIoluminescence

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers investigate the concept of bioluminescence. They use dinoflagellates in a lab situation to study photosynthesis. They conduct research into the concept using a variety of resources. Also the class is taken on a field trip...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Food Chains and Food Webs

For Teachers 4th
Fourth graders study intertidal organisms and their role in the food web. In this food web lesson, 4th graders read the book The Sea That Feeds Us and discuss food webs. Students study pictures of intertidal creatures and discuss their...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Estuarine Currents

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students experiment observing a demonstration on models of density-driven currents which are typically found in an estuarine system of water flow. They compare/contrast water temperature and salinity to the formations of estuarine currents.
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

Gotta Have Energy

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students explore energy. They discuss the types and uses of energy and research an assigned energy source. They create a "benefits versus potential environmental impacts" chart that lists energy sources and possible impacts. They...
Worksheet
Curated OER

Biomes

For Students 5th - 12th
In this biomes instructional activity, students review the characteristics of aquatic biomes and terrestrial biomes. This instructional activity has 12 fill in the blank, 6 multiple choice, and 4 short answer questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sharks Taxonomy

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students, in groups, establish a classification system for the world of your classroom. They draw a chart to explain their categories and system to the rest of the class.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Giant Jellyfish Invasion

For Students 4th - 6th
In this reading comprehension skills activity, students read a 1 page selection entitled "Giant Jellyfish Invasion" and then respond to 5 multiple choice questions.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Ocean Vocabulary

For Students 4th - 5th
In this vocabulary learning exercise, students match words related to the ocean to their definitions. Worksheet is labeled as a quiz, but may be used as review/practice.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Who Am I?

For Students 3rd - 4th
In this earth science worksheet, students read the description of each animal and identify who each one is. They circle every third letter in the box to the right to check their answer.
Worksheet
Curated OER

Invertebrates

For Students 9th - 12th
In this invertebrates activity, high schoolers read about the characteristics of the different groups of invertebrates. Then students complete 10 multiple choice questions.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Save the Bay

For Teachers 3rd - 8th
Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students examine the environmental effects of oil spills as they replicate a contained oil spill and clean up.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Baleen Whales vs. Toothed Whales

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders review mammal characteristics and study two types of whales. In this mammal study lesson, 2nd graders discuss mammals and define their five characteristics. Students complete a whale worksheet and define differences...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Giant Barrel Sponge

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students study barrel sponges. In this science and art lesson, students discuss what sponges are, create their own sponge, and share what they created with the rest of the class.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality Monitoring

For Teachers 6th - 12th
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...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Estuarine Currents

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Pupils explore an estuarine system to gather data on density driven currents. This type of current is contrasted with temperature and wind driven currents.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Just Jelly

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students identify common gelatinous zooplankton in the Canada Basin and their ecological role. They compare and contrast feeding strategies of at least three different types of gelatinous zooplankton.
Website
Other

The Marine Science Institute

For Students 9th - 10th
The Marine Science Institute offers various general information about the San Francisco bay and its ecology.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Episd: Aquatic Organisms

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Study the research of aquatic organisms and how they move and live. Be prepared to give examples of the types of these wet organisms.
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Types of Marine Organisms Study Guide

For Students 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide summarizes key points about the types of organisms found in marine environments. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.
Unit Plan
Other

Rutgers: c.o.o.l. Class: Physics Project: Plankton and Ocean Current

For Students 9th - 10th
This c.o.o.l. Project focuses on tiny sea plankton and how they move in the oceans. Follow the scientific process outlined on the left, calculate and collect data to form your own predictions.