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

Hot, Cold, Fresh and Salty

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students observe the effects of layering water and what is more or less saline than normal. In this geoscience lesson students create saline solutions, layer them and observe how the water becomes different temperatures in different layers.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Learning Lesson: Salt 'n Lighter

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students participate in a demonstration showing that as salinity increases density increases as well. They also examine the different densities of air. They discuss the amount of water displaced by large ships.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Blue Crabs - The Blue Crab's Chesapeake Journey

For Teachers 6th - 8th
A plethora of information about the blue crabs of Chesapeake Bay will amaze and delight your marine biologists. They learn, through direct instruction, about the characteristics and life cycle of this fascinating arthropod. A highlight...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Are The Properties of Sea Water?

For Teachers 9th
Ninth graders conduct research on the subject of sea water. They use a variety of resources to obtain information. There are helpful resource links listed in the activity. In conjunction with the research students make inquiry of the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Quality Monitoring

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Learners 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

Water Density

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students identify and analyze the concept of density using the formula, density equals mass divided by volume. They review the differences in salinity levels of the ocean and note that the changes in density are caused by wind and...
Lesson Plan
Alabama Learning Exchange

The Composition of Seawater

For Teachers 9th - 12th Standards
Young scholars explore the concept of finding the composition of seawater.  In this finding the composition of seawater instructional activity, students make a saturated salt water solution.  Young scholars discuss why there is...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

A Salty Experiment

For Teachers 5th - 9th
Pupils study salty and fresh waters.  For this harbor estuary lesson students complete a lab activity on salinity and describe what happened. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Density Boundaries

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Young scholars create observable layers in water that represent a separation based upon density differences. They model density boundaries using differences in temperature and salinity. They, in groups, perform a meaningful experiment...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Where's the Oxygen?

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students study seawater and how temperature and salinity influence it.  In this oxygen lesson students complete a lab activity on dissolved oxygen. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Coral Bleaching

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Learners examine the relationship between corals and zooxanthellae, identify stresses to corals, and explain coral bleaching.  In this sea life lesson students predict the effects of increased temperatures on coral reefs. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

pH Readings and Salinity Readings of Water From Three Locations Within the Neponset River Watershed

For Teachers 6th
Sixth graders test the ph levels of water from three different water environments within the Neponset River Watershed. They discuss the three different water environments, take pH measurements of the three samples, and predict which...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Young scholars analyze water quality data from real data. In this environmental science lesson, students examine how salinity and dissolved oxygen affect the living organisms in the estuary. They interpret graphs to support or disprove a...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Density Dynamics

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students set up working models demonstrating lake turnover and the formation of deep water masses in the oceans.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Lesson #6: Sea Surface Temperature and Coral Bleaching

For Teachers 5th
Fifth graders examine the concept of coral bleaching and sea surface temperature. They view a teacher demonstration, interpret sea surface temperature data, explore a website, and complete worksheets.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What is an Estuary?

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students define the terms estuary and watershed. They conduct an experiment to determine the density differences between fresh and saltwater. They examine the salinity distribution of the Peconic Bay Estuary.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

We All Scream for Ice Cream

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students make ice cream while experimenting with the freezing point of water. They experiment with different amounts of salt.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Modeling Estuaries

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students create a model estuary. In this modeling estuaries instructional activity, students identify characteristics and mix water of varying densities. Students form a hypothesis, conduct an experiment, and analyze the results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Weather, Sea Level Rise and Climate Change Course

For Teachers 8th - 10th
Young scholars explain the impact of glacial melting to global climate change. In this environmental science instructional activity, students design an experiment to investigate the effect of salinity change to melting glaciers. They...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

The Future of Arctic Sea Ice

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Students research about the importance of sea ice to world climate and sea organisms. In this earth science lesson, students create a model of present and future Arctic sea ice communities. They discuss how ice melting affects...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Will, Water Way

For Teachers 4th - 7th
Young scholars test tap water for hardness and mineral content. In this environmental science lesson plan, students identify the different stages of the water cycle. They classify plant and animals according to the rules of taxonomy.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Investigating Convection Currents

For Teachers 4th - 8th
Students examine how differences in the temperature and salinity of the water help create ocean currents. They perform an experiment which shows how temperature affects the circulation of ocean water.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Biocomplexity Lab Activity: Density and Buoyancy of

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students investigate how the density of water changes the buoyancy of water. Students create a hypothesis about what will happen when placing the egg into the water.Students can research online different bodies of water (The Red Sea, The...