As an anticipatory set, young environmental technicians watch a video about how ocean temperatures seem to be changing along with the global climate. They perform a laboratory demonstration with the purpose of observing what happens to...

Plant and animal life of the ocean is the focus of this science lesson. Young scientists sort a variety of seashells and explore why many sea animals have shells. They examine the shells, write journal entries highlighting the...

A video and laboratory investigation are highlights to this lesson on acidification of ocean water due to increased atmospheric carbon dioxide. Using bromothymol blue (BTB) as an indicator, pupils analyze the amount of carbon dioxide...

Students explore the topics of ocean water salinity, ocean life zones, marine life classification, and ocean food chains. They observe demonstrations, conduct experiments, complete quizzes and handouts, and analyze key vocabulary.

Students research marine ecosystems by creating class presentations.  For this oceanography lesson, students research the different locations of marine sanctuaries by identifying them on a transparency map in class.  Students...

Young scholars compare and contrast the properties of salt water in the oceans/seas and freshwater elsewhere on the planet. They also analyze mixing caused by currents in the ocean, including the effects of warm and cold water as well as...

Students list data collected by marine buoys and the different kinds of moored buoys. They describe how data is transmitted worldwide. They explain the difference between near shore and offshore air and water temperatures.

Pupils watch videos about unusual fish behavior and write to marine scientists about the proper care of fish. In this fish lesson plan, students watch the videos on how to properly transfer fish to saltwater, and they do so in an aquarium.

Students study the 'Marine Protected Areas' process.  In this ocean lesson plan students work in groups, conduct research and present it to the class.

Students investigate tides and create a model of an intertidal zone. For this hands-on marine science lesson based on a Magic School Bus book, the teacher leads students in a discussion about tides, then helps students model a tide and...

Students examine relationships and interactions between different types of water. They experiment with colored water of different temperature and salinity and discuss how the results relate to real ocean currents.

Students perform experiments to examine whether trash can float, blow around, or wash away. The effects of these characteristics on the presence of marine debris in the environment are then discussed.

Students identify some consumer goods that come from the ocean. They classify these items into groups, identify their source, and calculate the cost of buying such goods.

Students explore the diversity of different marine sanctuaries.  In this biodiversity activity students work in groups to explore a sanctuary.

Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. For this science lesson, students investigate data from the International Coastal Cleanup, identify sources of marine debris, and discover the impacts of this debris on wildlife.

Students describe unique exploration studies of the ocean floor and space. They utilize research skills and write summaries of research studies using the Internet. Students answer a variety of questions over their research findings.

Learners explore limu diversity. In this ocean ecosystem lesson, students classify limu according to its physical properties. Learners work in small groups to generate scientific observations and sort limu by characteristics.

Students investigate the creatures of intertidal zones. They explore the adaptations species make to survive .

Students explore the concept of environmental stewardship. In this science lesson, students investigate the impact of oil spills as they discuss historical spills. Students use problem solving skills to brainstorm clean-up methods.

Eighth graders explore ocean currents and wind patterns. They discover the concept of systems to show how change in one component of a body of water, causes change in other components in that system. Students describe positive and...

Students investigate the process of the carbon cycle. In this biology lesson, students take soil sample and calculate the amount of carbon found in the soil. They examine level of carbons in marine life and plants.

First graders participate in dissecting a squid. They identify and locate specific parts of a squid with teacher guidance. They draw a picture of what their squid looked like and label specific parts.

To better understand how solar power can aid in creating desalinated drinking water, the class creates a model still. They will build a model of a solar still, make observations, and discuss how the process works. While the idea behind...

Middle schoolers plot stranding sites onto a map using latitude and longitude as well as compass directions with respect to coastal features. They identify several species of marine animals that might become stranded; distinguish their...