Lesson Plan
Florida International University

Pipeline to the Coral Reefs

For Teachers 9th - 12th
Discover firsthand the effects of internal waves on coral reefs. Through a series of experiments, learners simulate internal waves and upwelling events as they make observations on the movement of water and other debris. They then...
Lesson Plan
National Wildlife Federation

Why All the Wiggling on the Way Up? CO2 in the Atmosphere

For Teachers 5th - 8th Standards
The climate change debate, in the political arena, is currently a hot topic! Learners explore carbon dioxide levels in our atmosphere and what this means for the future in the 11th installment of 12. Through an analysis of carbon dioxide...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Researching the World's Oceans

For Teachers 5th - 8th
Students research and compare important features of the oceans based on current data. They examine the globe or map, determine the major oceans of the world, and record their names on the data sheet.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Filter Feeding in Reef Sponges

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students investigate the role of sponges in our oceans.  In this biology lesson plan, students create a diagram visualizing how sponges bring food into their bodies through a filtering process.  Students discuss the connections...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Temperature and Water Density

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students consider the effects of temperature on water density. For this Earth Science lesson, students evaluate a demonstration of cold and hot water currents in a model. Students use two liter bottles and varied water temperatures with...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Am I?

For Teachers K - 2nd
Students identify various shells. For this oceanography lesson, students create a KWL chart to activate background knowledge on shells. Students read the book Ocean Day and learn about waves, tides, and the seashells that can...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Oceanography

For Teachers 2nd
Second graders identify saltwater and freshwater habitats and the resources found in them. They compare and contrast the two habitats and discuss their findings. They discover the resources bodies of water can provide.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Selecting a Harbor: Oceanography and the Impact of Oil Spills

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students work together to determine a new site for a harbor. Using the Internet, they research the impact of an oil spill on the oceans and wildlife. They present their findings to the class and a solution to the problem.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Baleen Whale Feeding Activity

For Teachers 1st - 6th
Learners compare the size of baleen whales to humans. They also assimilate the different feeding methods of baleen filter feeding and gulp feeding whales.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Microbes and Climate

For Teachers 7th - 9th
Students examine how microbes play a role in the climate system.  In this climate lesson students complete an activity, create a PowerPoint presentation and present it to the class. 
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Swimming with Crabs

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Students explore Earth science by completing several graphic organizer activities in class. In this oceanography lesson, students research ocean inhabitants such as blue crab and oysters. Students complete graphic organizers about the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Earth System Science

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore the Earth and its ability to support life. They discuss the geosphere and the water cycle and complete the Water Wonders activity. After completing the activity, they respond in their journals and reflect upon the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Reef Attack

For Teachers 3rd - 6th
Students identify the locations of coral reefs. In this oceanography instructional activity, students use the Coral Reefs website to locate the coral reefs on a world map and discuss ways to help protect the coral reefs.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

What Does it Take to be a Survivor: Part 2

For Teachers 4th - 6th
Students explore adaptation by completing worksheets. In this fish anatomy lesson, students identify the different survival strategies fish utilize to live in the ocean and the adaptation their bodies have gone through over millions of...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Bedrock Learning

For Teachers 6th - Higher Ed
Students test and identify soil and rock samples. In this rock and soil lesson, students video themselves gathering samples. Students test the samples and create graphs showing the results.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

It's In the Numbers

For Teachers 9th - 12th
High schoolers explore the careers available in the field of oceanography. They discover the difference between a job and a career and the need for a good education. They work together to create a presentation about oceanography.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Science: Making Career Connections

For Teachers 10th - 12th
Students explore careers in oceanography. They compare and contrast requirements for careers in the field, and determine what high school courses would help to prepare them. Finally, they create a computer-based project related to...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Ocean Stratigraphy Challenge

For Teachers Higher Ed
Students are asked to explain the sequence of rock and sediment types and to devise an experiment to test this hypothesis. It is intended for students with some prior knowledge of oceanography, sedimentary geology, and plate tectonics...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Researching Researchers

For Teachers 7th
Seventh graders use accessible technology to explore active research projects currently taking place, choose a current research project to study and create a presentation using the information that they have gathered.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Galapagos Rift Expedition Come On Down!

For Teachers 7th - 8th
Students research the development and implementation of a research vessel/vehicle used for deep ocean exploration. In this oceanography lesson, students calculate the density of objects by determining the mass and volume.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Commonalities and Differences from Africa to Cleveland as Evidence Through the Gullah Community Connection

For Teachers 10th - 11th
Students explore Afro-American history. They identify the commonality between African, Carolinian and Cleveland Black culture. Students explore the water cycle, oceanography, hydrology and bio-geochemical processes. They discuss the...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Water Layering and Circulation

For Teachers 5th - 7th
Young scholars examine relationships and interactions between different types of water. They experiment with colored water of different temperature and salinity and discuss how the results relate to real ocean currents.
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

GPS Art

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students design their own logo or picture and use a handheld GPS receiver to map it out. They write out a word or graphic on a field or playground, walk the path, and log GPS data. The results display their "art" on their GPS receiver...
Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Wave Superposition: Interactive On-line Mac and PC

For Teachers 10th - Higher Ed
Students study definitions of wavelength, wave speed, wave amplitude, and wave period using an interactive JAVA environment. Distance and time are given so speed=wavelength/period can be verified or deduced by students. Waves reflection...