What a Day for Ocean Microbes

Lesson Plan Overview

For most of us, the term “marine organism” brings to mind images of fishes, coral reefs, marine mammals, or other animals that are easy to see with the naked eye. Yet, 98% of the biomass in Earth’s ocean and most of its biological activity is provided by marine microbes— organisms that are exceedingly small, less than a few thousandths of a millimeter. Scientists conducted a global survey of marine microbes species in 2014 called Ocean Sampling Day. This lesson plan includes a marine microbe activity and a simulation of the activities conducted in the 2014 survey.
Source: NOAA
Subjects: Marine Biology
Grades: 6-8 9-12

Lesson Plans

Lesson Plan Link

Literacy Principles:

OLP#7: The ocean is largely unexplored.

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