What effects do temperature and carbon dioxide levels have on the zooplankton of Antarctica? This concluding lesson plan in a short unit on climate change and the ocean helps environmental scientists answer these questions. After...

Students investigate water density. In this water density lesson, students conduct an experiment with food coloring, water and salt to see how the salt effects bodies of water.

Seven pages of fascinating reading on marine debris preface the activities in this lesson plan. Four different activities are employed to simulate how the debris is distributed in the ocean and along beaches. Early ecology learners...

Young oceanographers study the Submarine Ring of Fire, which is a series of deep-water volcanic vents that come up from the ocean floor. Learners take a close look at the unique ecosystems that are associated with these areas, how these...

Seamounts are large, extinct volcanoes that rise up from the bottom of the ocean floor. They are a relatively new landform in the scientific community, and this lesson invites students to learn about the amazing diversity of life found...

With the global temperature on the rise, the effects of climate change are starting to be seen. However, many people have a difficult time conceptualizing the long-term effects, such as sea levels rising. Given an easy and effective...

Learners are posted at the beginning and end of a 10-meter long line parallel to the ocean and are instructed to look straight ahead towards the water. The student at the beginning of the line uses a stopwatch, goes to the water's edge...

Learners draw conclusions about how the ocean affects temperature. In this weather lesson, students use the Internet to gather data to help them come to a conclusion about how the climate in a certain region is directly affected by the...

High schoolers investigate marine life by researching aquatic organisms on the Internet. In this oceanography lesson, students monitor algae and animals of the ocean by identifying their population and habitat on data sheet ID cards....

Students use adding machine tape to plot increasing ocean depths and deep sea historical events.

Students study galvanic exchange and how it produces electric currents.  In this ocean lesson students predict what metals deteriorate in salt water. 

High schoolers discuss biological diversity in ocean communities. In this diversity lesson, students examine the variety of organisms compared to relative abundance. They will write an analysis and discuss their findings with the class.

Learners examine hurricanes. In this web-based meteorology lesson, students study the relationship between ocean temperature and hurricane intensity. They differentiate between intensity and frequency of hurricanes.

Sort pictures of items into categories of at school and at the grocery store in a classification lesson plan. Kindergartners start by sorting pictures into categories of in the sky and in the ocean. Use the lesson for any story or unit...

Students explore biology by researching ocean statistics. In this data analysis lesson, students conduct a snail examination experiment utilizing live pouch snails. Students collect data about the snails over the course of six weeks and...

Students use melted crayons to mix and blend into ocean in motion scenes. They choose colors that they see in ocean water, melt the crayons, and swirl the wax into designs on white construction paper. They finish the artwork by letting...

This unit is so cool, you won't be able to "kelp" yourself! Intended for all grades, this science and activity guide for teachers offers a unique opportunity to understand kelp's role as a valuable ecological resource. Teachers and...

The activities and exercises in this packet, the third in the series of support materials for the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt thematic units on animal habitats, are designed for learners who need extra support with the basic...

Students gather information about sea animals. For this ocean lesson, students read a story about the ocean and seashore. They discuss the needs of seashore animals and create a Mystery Ocean Animal riddle book. Students also discuss...

In this ocean instructional activity, students answer questions about ocean life, the plants and animals of the ocean and their classification, the major life zones of the ocean and questions about an animal of their choice that lives in...

Make sea turtle or whale origami in a hands-on activity that provides instructions for folding and facts for learning about each.

Salinity is the focus of two experimenters that work to answer the question, How does salt change the physical properties of water? Super scientists compare the freezing rate of salt and fresh water, combine the two waters to...

Students create their own ocean currents by using everyday items. They examine the constant pushing of molecules that makes us feel wind. They discuss how the water moves in the Southern Hemisphere.

Students investigate tides and create a model of an intertidal zone. In this hands-on marine science lesson based on a Magic School Bus book, the teacher leads students in a discussion about tides, then helps students model a tide and...