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LESSON PLANS AND ACTIVITIES

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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 leadership

    Students 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

    Grades: 6-8, 9-12

  • It’s Sedimentary, My Dear Watson

    / Deep Earth Academy/Consortium for Ocean Leadership

    In 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

    Grades: 6-8

  • Wave Size and Depth

    Southeast Coastal Ocean Observing Regional Association /

    Students investigate the relationship between the size of the wave and depth to which the effects of its energy can be observed. For more information: http://secoora.org and http://secoora.org/classroom/virtual_wave/wave_size_depth .

    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

  • 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

  • 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

  • Frozen Out

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students 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.

    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

  • Wreck Detectives

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students 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.

    Grades: 3-5, 6-8

  • Animals of the Fire Ice

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students 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.

    Grades: 6-8

  • How Diverse is That?

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students discuss the meaning of biological diversity. Students will compare and contrast the concepts of “variety” and “relative abundance” as they relate to biological diversity. Students calculate the appropriate numeric indicator that describes biological diversity of communities given the abundance and distribution data of species in two communities.

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

    Grades: 9-12

  • Keep it Complex

    / NOAA Ocean Explorer

    Students describe the significance of complexity in benthic habitats to organisms that live in these habitats. Students describe at least three attributes of benthic habitats that can increase the physical complexity of these habitats. Students provide examples of organisms that increase the structural complexity of their communities. Students infer and explain relationships between species diversity and habitat complexity in benthic communities.

    Find out more:
    http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov.

    Grades: 9-12