Related: OLP#6: The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.

LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES

Click on a lesson plan or activity name to learn more about it

  • Off Base

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students define terms pH and buffer. Students explain in general terms the carbonate buffer system of seawater. Students explain Le Chatelier’s Principle and predict how the carbonate buffer system of seawater will respond to a change in concentration of hydrogen ions.

    For more information:
    http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov

    Grades: 9-12

  • The Puzzle of Ice Age Americans

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students describe alternative theories for arrival of first humans to come to America. Students explain evidence for these theories and explain how exploration of a submerged segment of Gulf Of Mexico coast may give insight into origin of native Americans. Students describe role of skepticism in scientific theory.

    For more information:
    http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 9-12

  • Benthic Drug Store

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students identify three chemicals that are pharmacologically active and are derived from marine invertebrates. Students describe disease-fighting action of these chemicals. Students infer why sessile marine invertebrates appear to be promising sources of new drugs.

    For more information:
    http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 3-5

  • Oceans of Energy

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students describe forms of energy found in the ocean and explain how they are used by humans. Students explain three ways that energy can be obtained from the ocean. For more information: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 6-8

  • Calling All Explorers

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students research and write about what it means to be an ocean explorer, both modern and historic. Students describe the nature of the ocean and ocean exploration. Students meet science mentors and role models online. For more information: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 6-8, 9-12

  • This Old Tubeworm

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students will be able to explain the process of chemosynthesis; explain the relevance of chemosynthesis to biological communities in the vicinity of cold seeps; construct a graphic interpretation of age-specific growth, given data on incremental growth rates of different-sized individuals of the same species; and estimate the age of an individual of a specific size, given information on age-specific growth in individuals of the same species.

    For more information: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 9-12

  • What Was for Dinner

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students will be able to compare and contrast photosynthesis and chemosynthesis as sources of primary production for biological communities; give at least three examples of organisms that live near hydrothermal vent systems; and describe two sources of primary production observed in biological communities associated with volcanoes of the Marianas Arc.

    For more information: http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 6-8

  • Treasures in Jeopardy

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students will be able to compare and contrast deep-sea coral reefs with their shallow-water counterparts; explain at least three benefits associated with deep-sea coral reefs; describe human activities that threaten deep-sea coral reefs; and describe actions that should be taken to protect deep-sea coral reef resources.

    For more information:
    http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 6-8

  • Exploring Explorations

    / NOAA Ocean Service

    Students will describe human benefits that have resulted from explorations of the Earth’s deep oceans.

    For more information:
    http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 6-8, 9-12

  • Why Do We Explore the Ocean?

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students will be able to discuss why scientists believe there are important undiscovered features and processes in Earth’s ocean; discuss at least three motives that historically have driven human exploration; explain why ocean exploration is relevant to climate change; and discuss at least three benefits that might result from ocean exploration. For more information http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 3-5, 6-8, 9-12

  • Long Live the Sharks and Rays

    / PBS Nature

    Students will learn about adaptations that have helped sharks and rays survive. Students will explore similarities and differences between sharks, rays and other fish and that different types of sharks and rays have different temperaments and diets and that some of the largest sharks and rays are the most gentle.

    For more information:
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature.

    Grades: 6-8

  • Shark!

    / Sea World Education

    Students explore the natural history of sharks and recognize that humans are an interconnected part of sharks’ ecosystems.

    For more information:
    http://seaworld.org

    Grades: 3-5, 6-8

  • Sharks: Setting the Record Straight

    / National Geographic Xpeditions

    Students read, discuss, and compare news reports of shark attacks with data and then design a television special to educate the public about sharks.

    For more information:
    http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/.

    Grades: 9-12

  • Are Great White Sharks As Dangerous As We Think They Are?

    / National Geographic Xpeditions

    Students discuss their existing thoughts on sharks and analyze a map of reported shark attacks. After viewing and discussing both a painting of a shark attack and an image of a researcher swimming with a bull shark, students do research to determine the real dangers posed by and to sharks.

    For more information:
    http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions

    Grades: 3-5

  • The Pros and Cons of Artificial Reefs

    / National Geographic Xpeditions

    Students make hypothetical lists of the pros and cons of artificial reefs and then revise them after reading an article and researching the topic.

    Grades: 9-12