Related: OLP#7: The ocean is largely unexplored.
LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES
Click on a lesson plan or activity name to learn more about it
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In this activity, students will be able to compare and contrast the pelagic, benthic and sea ice realms of the Arctic Ocean, name at least three organisms that are typical of each of these three realms, and explain how the pelagic, benthic and sea ice realms interact with each other.
For more information:
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov -
BioBlitz Organizational Guide
/ Connecticut State Museum of Natural History at UCONNLearn all about BioBlitz and how to organize one for your school. Includes a checklist and schedule.
For more information: http://www.cac.uconn.edu/mnhhome.html
http://web2.uconn.edu/mnh/bioblitz/ -
Secrets of the Sediments
/ Deep Earth Academy/ Consortium for Ocean LeadershipIn this activity, students graph and analyze data from sediments collected off the coast of Santa Barbara, California to determine whether this information can be used to study historical climate change. For more information, www.deepearthacademy.org
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Wanted: Dead and Well-Preserved. . .Mohawk Guy and his Band of Neogene Planktic Foraminifer Friends
/ Deep Earth Academy/Constortium for Ocean LeadershipStudents use foram “bio cards” to read and interpret authentic scientific data and build a graphic representation to unlock ancient history stored within sediment cores from the western equatorial Pacific. For more information: www.deepearthacademy.org
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It’s Not Just the Core that Tells the Hole Story: An introduction to Downhole Logging Technology
/ Deep Earth Academy/Consotrium for Ocean leadershipStudents read about “down-hole logging” technology, in which instruments are lowered from the drilling ship into the hole after cores have been removed to measure physical properties that reveal more about sea floor sediments and rocks. They then examine sample logs to note patterns and interpret the data. For more information: www.deepearthacademy.org
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It’s Sedimentary, My Dear Watson
/ Deep Earth Academy/Consortium for Ocean LeadershipIn this introductory activity, students analyze core sample data to identify sediment composition on the ocean floor. They use Google Earth to make their own qualitative observations that help them determine the types of sediments that make up the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. For more information, www.deepearthacademy.org
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The Good the Bad and the Arctic
/ NOAA Ocean ExplorerStudents 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. -
Off Base
/ NOAA Ocean ExplorerStudents 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 -
The Puzzle of Ice Age Americans
/ NOAA Ocean ExplorerStudents 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. -
Benthic Drug Store
/ NOAA Ocean ExplorerStudents 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. -
Oceans of Energy
/ NOAA Ocean ExplorerStudents 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. -
Frozen Out
/ NOAA Ocean ExplorerStudents explain the concepts of indicator species and microhabitats. Students compare and contrast “average regional conditions” with “site-specific conditions.” Students explain at least three examples of the impacts of climate change on top predators in the Arctic.
For more information:
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov. -
Calling All Explorers
/ NOAA Ocean ExplorerStudents 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.
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Wreck Detectives
/ NOAA Ocean ExplorerStudents utilize a grid system to document the location of artifacts recovered from a model shipwreck site. Students use data about the location and types of artifacts recovered from a model shipwreck site to draw inferences about the sunken ship and the people who were aboard. Students identify and explain types of evidence and expertise that can help verify the nature and historical content of artifacts recovered from shipwrecks.
For more information:
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov. -
Animals of the Fire Ice
/ NOAA Ocean ExplorerStudents define and describe methane hydrate ice worms and hydrate shrimp. Students infer how methane hydrate ice worms and hydrate shrimp obtain their food. Students infer how methane hydrate ice worms and hydrate shrimp may interact with other species in the biological communities of which they are part. Students build a methane hydrate molecule.
For more information:
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.
