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

  • 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

  • Who Has the Data?

    / NOAA Ocean Service

    Students learn what types of data scientists collect to monitor coral reefs, and how these data are used.

    For more information about NOAA Ocean Service, visit http://oceanservice.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 9-12

  • Where Have All the Glaciers Gone?

    / NOAA

    Students will describe how climate change is affecting sea ice, vegetation, and glaciers in the Arctic region, explain how changes in the Arctic climate can produce global impacts, and will be able to provide three examples of such impacts. Students will also explain how a given impact resulting from climate change may be considered ‘positive’ as well as ‘negative’, and will be able to provide at least one example of each.
    Hands-on activity: Make a photocube showing changes in glaciers.

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

    Grades: 6-8

  • Where Does it Live, and What Does it Eat?

    Susan Leach-Snyder / Currents, National Marine Educators Association

    Students research the habitat and food of organisms living in a mangrove estuary, illustrate where mangrove organisms live and diagram a mangrove estuary food web.

    Grades: 3-5, 6-8

  • 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

  • What is El Nino?

    /

    This activity explores the potential for climate variability and change to trigger more frequent occurrences of El Nino, and the impacts that could result. Students will access information at remote sites using telecommunications. Students will identify impacts by reviewing past El Nino events. Students will analyze the data collected and predict what the consequences could be if, as some scientists predict, climate variability and change could create a permanent El Nino.

    Grades: 6-8, 9-12

  • WebQuest: Sensory Biology and the Plight of the Right Whales

    Drs. Jill C. Fegley and Sara M. Lindsay / University of Maine Lindsey Lab

    This lesson introduces high school students (grades 9-12) to the topic of sensory perception in the marine environment. The WebQuest introduces the role of acoustic cues in ocean ecology and challenges students to determine if acoustic warning devices are useful tools to prevent right whale fishing gear entanglements and ship strikes in the Gulf of Maine.

    Grades: 9-12

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • The Good the Bad and the Arctic

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students identify and explain three lines of evidence that suggest arctic climate is changing. Students identify and discuss three social, economic, environmental consequences expected due to climate change in Arctic. Students identify three climate-related issues of concern to Arctic indigenous peoples. Students identify three ways in which Arctic climate change is likely to affect the rest of the Earth’s ecosystems.

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

    Grades: 9-12

  • The Global Climate Game

    /

    This group game is designed to help students explore the various aspects of global climate and to learn how human activity may affect climate. Student groups will be responsible for making decisions about activities that may impact global climate. Students will be able to identify the various human impacts on the environment. Students will be able to explain how lifestyles may be altered to become more favorable to the environment. Students will examine the role of individual decisions and their impact on the natural environment.

    Grades: 6-8

  • The Best Hope for Northern Right Whales

    / National Geographic

    This lesson asks students to research current and proposed methods of assisting the recovery of northern right whale populations. Students will conduct Internet research to investigate the best strategies to help save right whales.

    Article “North Atlantic Right Whales on Path to Extinction” for lesson found at:
    http://www.cnn.com/NATURE/9903/18/right.whales.enn/.

    Grades: 9-12

  • Tale of a Whale

    / Smithsonian Institution and New England Aquarium

    Students exercise their observation skills to do some of the actual work of marine biologists who study the endangered North Atlantic right whale. They identify an individual whale by examining photographs taken at sea. They then examine a record of sighting of the whale in order to track its movements.

    Grades: 6-8