Curated OER
Sinking Races
Students build plankton models and compete to see which sinks most slowly. They write, or orally present ,the adaptations they incorporated to slow the sinking rate of their organisms. Race results can be grounds for some prizes!
Curated OER
Visual Vocabulary
Students interpret and name the vocabulary termed acted out by the mime. In this science/language arts/physical education lesson, students are given a set of vocabulary terms to discuss within their group. Next, students place all...
Curated OER
Whale Watcher Game Lesson
Students participate in an online whale watching game. They identify the reasons for migration and describe the route. They make predictions on what would happen if the ways did not migrate.
Curated OER
Hawaii's Freshwater Animals - Species Report
Learners explore biology by creating a report for the class. In this oceanography lesson, students research and identify the survival characteristics of a list of freshwater animals by utilizing the Internet and library. Learners...
Science Struck
Science Struck: Learn All About the Ocean Food Chain
Read about the different predators, consumers, and producers that make up an ocean food chain.
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Planet
Detailed website that was a companion to a 1995 traveling exhibit of the Smithsonian. Links to lesson plans and other educational materials are at the bottom of the page. Enter the exhibition to explore the world of the ocean.
Science Struck
Science Struck: A Helpful Guide to Understand the Photic Zone
The photic zone is the upper layer of the ocean where sunlight can penetrate and support photosynthesis. This article explains the characteristics of this zone, the food chain that exists there, the adaptations of the plants and animals,...
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Ocean Planet
A series of lesson plans designed to be used with the Smithsonian Ocean Planet exhibit (available online). Lesson topics include marine ecosystems, pollution of ocean water, animal strandings, and literature.
PBS
Pbs: Secrets of the Ocean Realm
At this site students can read about sea creatures and ocean plant life, and see pictures of each.
World Wildlife Fund for Nature
Wwf: Our Earth: Ecoregions: Habitats: Oceans
An introduction and overview of the ocean habitat, the largest habitat on Earth. Includes links to information about three animals that live in this habitat.
Other
Digital Library for Earth System Education: Teaching Box: Seasonal Upwelling
A suite of lessons focusing on the process of upwelling. Inquiry-based exploration of seasonal upwelling includes marine food webs, food production in the ocean, wind-driven ocean currents, and seasonal changes in biotic and abiotic...
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Marine Invertebrates
Students learn about invertebrates found in the ocean, their individual methods of adaptations, identifying characteristics, and contributions to the marine ecosystem.
PBS
Pbs: Nature: The Fascinating World of Jellies
Learn about the mysterious jellyfish blooms that have occurred in the world's oceans. Because the resulting alteration to the marine food web has had devastating effects, researchers grow and study jellyfish at the Monterey aquarium....
Other
Rutgers Marine & Coastal Sciences: Cool Classroom
Students and teachers can explore the work of marine scientists and observe the ocean from their computers. Learn about Rutgers Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory, discover why oceanography is important, and see what life is like in...
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: Why Are Sharks So Awesome?
Sharks have been celebrated as powerful gods by some native cultures. And today, sharks are recognized as apex predators of the world's ocean. What is it that makes these fish worthy of our ancient legends and so successful in the seas?...
NASA
Nasa: Big Questions: Oceans
Learn more about the oceans that cover so much of our planet. Five big Q and A's are addressed including why oceans are so important, how oceans soak up energy and gases, the relationship between climate and oceans, and the function of...