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Grades
K-3  |  4-6  |   7-8  |  9-12

Grades K-3

Brine Shrimp

Raising brine shrimp in the classroom has long been known as a fun, easy, and popular science activity. From Teachers.net, this lesson provides tips on rearing brine shrimp, and using a microscope to learn more about their anatomy and physiology.

The Brine Shrimp Project

From NC State's Science Junction, this site instructs students in the design of a laboratory investigation on the affects of different factors on the hatching and development of brine shrimp eggs. Lessons can be scaled for grades K-12.

Environment Canada's Water Teachers' Corner

Environment Canada has produced many useful brochures and activity publications designed for the classroom.  Materials can be ordered free of charge via the Web.  Several publications also are available in PDF format.

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administrations' Kids' & Teachers' Corner

A host of activities are available on this site:  25 Things You Can Do to Save the Coral Reefs; games and projects; links for students and teachers; threatened and endangered seals & sea lions; fact sheets; coloring books; protecting our coasts; a U.S. Coast Guard Kids' Activity Book; Project Oceanography; and much more.

Project WET:  Water Education for Teachers

The goal of Project WET is to facilitate and promote awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources through the development and dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids and through the establishment of state- and internationally- sponsored Project WET programs.  Educator pages provide activities shared by participating teachers.  The Project WET Calendar posts workshop opportunities for teachers around the country. "The Incredible Journey" activity follows the "life cycle" of a water molecule.

SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information Database

At this site you'll find reference guides to dozens of species and ecosystems, plus virtual field trips with wildlife researcher, geographic information, "Ask Shamu," and more.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution:  Educational Resources

The world-renowned WHOI provides an FAQ covering common questions about oceanography, and also offers an index of links to WWW resources on topics which include: aquatic animals; aquariums; careers in oceanography; polar areas; aquatic pollution; oceanographic research vessels; weather; and marine mammals.

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Grades 4-6

Brine Shrimp

Raising brine shrimp in the classroom has long been known as a fun, easy, and popular science activity. From Teachers.net, this lesson provides tips on rearing brine shrimp, and using a microscope to learn more about their anatomy and physiology.

The Brine Shrimp Project

From NC State's Science Junction, this site instructs students in the design of a laboratory investigation on the affects of different factors on the hatching and development of brine shrimp eggs. Lessons can be scaled for grades K-12.

Classification of Plants & Animals

Introduce your students to basic taxonomic principles using this set of classroom exercises with everyday materials, developed by the Franklin Institute Online. This site launches an optional Quicktime Plug-in in a new window.

Environment Canada's Water Teachers' Corner

Environment Canada has produced many useful brochures and activity publications designed for the classroom.  Materials can be ordered free of charge via the Web.  Several publications also are available in PDF format.

E-Quarium:  The Monterey Bay Aquarium

Visitors to the virtual version of the Monterey Bay Aquarium can learn about marine habitats, marine animals, and ocean conservation.  Also available are ocean FAQs and online exhibits.  California teachers can learn about opportunities for free school tours, as well as teacher workshops.

Kids Do Ecology

The National Center for Ecological Analysis & Synthesis, and the Los Marineros Program provide this selection of educational activities related to marine ecology, world biomes, geology, politics, and history. Kids can also "ask an ecologist" questions, and read responses to questions from their peers. Also provided is an excellent overview of the scientific method, as well as tips for presentation of data.

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administrations' Kids' & Teachers' Corner

A host of activities are available on this site:  25 Things You Can Do to Save the Coral Reefs; games and projects; links for students and teachers; threatened and endangered seals & sea lions; fact sheets; coloring books; protecting our coasts; a U.S. Coast Guard Kids' Activity Book; Project Oceanography; and much more.

Project WET:  Water Education for Teachers

The goal of Project WET is to facilitate and promote awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources through the development and dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids and through the establishment of state- and internationally- sponsored Project WET programs.  Educator pages provide activities shared by participating teachers.  The Project WET Calendar posts workshop opportunities for teachers around the country. "The Incredible Journey" activity follows the "life cycle" of a water molecule.

SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information Database

At this site you'll find reference guides to dozens of species and ecosystems, plus virtual field trips with wildlife researcher, geographic information, "Ask Shamu," and more.

The Watershed Game

Developed by the BELL Live! program at the Bell Museum of Natural History in Minnesota, the game challenges students to act as watershed planners and managers in various settings (national park, agricultural region, neighborhood, and city), making planning decisions which will minimize impact to watersheds.  Players are graded at the end of each exercise and are provided with analyses of their answers.  Appropriate for 6th grade and up.

Wetlands Science, Education, and Information Resources

Compiled by the EPA's Office of Water, this index to wetlands resources on the Web includes activities, lesson plans, and games.

WhaleNet Curriculum

Part of WhaleNet's interactive Web site, this index provides access to reading materials, activities and lessons, data and information, and other online classroom materials devoted to whales.  WhaleNet is sponsored by Wheelock College in Boston.

Whales:  A Thematic Web Unit

Developed by graduate students in education at the University of Virginia, this site offers teacher resources, student activities across multiple disciplines, projects, and Internet readings on a variety of whale species.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution:  Educational Resources

The world-renowned WHOI provides an FAQ covering common questions about oceanography, and also offers an index of links to WWW resources on topics which include: aquatic animals; aquariums; careers in oceanography; polar areas; aquatic pollution; oceanographic research vessels; weather; and marine mammals.

|Back to Top|


Grades 7-8

The Brine Shrimp Project

From NC State's Science Junction, this site instructs students in the design of a laboratory investigation on the affects of different factors on the hatching and development of brine shrimp eggs. Lessons can be scaled for grades K-12.

Oceansite Reference

A Course World resource for teachers that includes a vast array of lesson plans and reference links in Ocean Studies.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Environmental Education

CBF's innovative educational curricula, the Chesapeake Choices and Challenges program, which integrate Bay-related activities with classroom instruction, give students the skills to investigate Bay problems and develop solutions. The implementation of two curriculum modules ("Your Watershed and the Bay" and "The Catch of the Bay") in Maryland middle schools and the Susquehanna Watershed Integrated Middle school Module (SWIMM) in Pennsylvania has been extraordinary. CBF is currently expanding its Chesapeake Choices and Challenges middle school curriculum project into Virginia with W.A.V.E. -Watershed Action for Virginia's Environment.  Field programs and Bay restoration projects offer exciting and challenging opportunities for students, while teacher training workshops and an online resources directory provide additional materials for educators.

Classification of Plants & Animals

Introduce your students to basic taxonomic principles using this set of classroom exercises with everyday materials, developed by the Franklin Institute Online. This site launches an optional Quicktime Plug-in in a new window.

Environment Canada's Water Teachers' Corner

Environment Canada has produced many useful brochures and activity publications designed for the classroom.  Materials can be ordered free of charge via the Web.  Several publications also are available in PDF format.

E-Quarium:  The Monterey Bay Aquarium

Visitors to the virtual version of the Monterey Bay Aquarium can learn about marine habitats, marine animals, and ocean conservation.  Also available are ocean FAQs and online exhibits.  California teachers can learn about opportunities for free school tours, as well as teacher workshops.

Into the Abyss:  A NOVA Online Science Adventure

An online tie-in to the highly regarded NOVA Science series on PBS, this site offers a fascinating glimpse into the deepest recesses of our oceans.  Read dispatches and view photographs as researchers descend to the ocean floor to study "black smokers," the underwater volcanoes which spew toxic chemicals from the Earth's core, and which host a collection of mysterious life forms, profiled and photographed in the site's "Deep Sea Bestiary."  Get a cross-sectional view "Inside a Tube Worm," and tour deep sea vents around the world.

National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administrations' Kids' & Teachers' Corner

A host of activities are available on this site:  25 Things You Can Do to Save the Coral Reefs; games and projects; links for students and teachers; threatened and endangered seals & sea lions; fact sheets; coloring books; protecting our coasts; a U.S. Coast Guard Kids' Activity Book; Project Oceanography; and much more.

Oceansite Reference

A Course World resource for teachers that includes a vast array of lesson plans and reference links in Ocean Studies.

Project WET:  Water Education for Teachers

The goal of Project WET is to facilitate and promote awareness, appreciation, knowledge, and stewardship of water resources through the development and dissemination of classroom-ready teaching aids and through the establishment of state- and internationally- sponsored Project WET programs.  Educator pages provide activities shared by participating teachers.  The Project WET Calendar posts workshop opportunities for teachers around the country. "The Incredible Journey" activity follows the "life cycle" of a water molecule.

SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information Database

At this site you'll find reference guides to dozens of species and ecosystems, plus virtual field trips with wildlife researcher, geographic information, "Ask Shamu," and more.

U.S. Geological Survey's Water Science for Schools

This site offers a wealth of information, activities, photo and map galleries, and a data library.  A good site for both teachers and students.

The Watershed Game

Developed by the BELL Live! program at the Bell Museum of Natural History in Minnesota, the game challenges students to act as watershed planners and managers in various settings (national park, agricultural region, neighborhood, and city), making planning decisions which will minimize impact to watersheds.  Players are graded at the end of each exercise and are provided with analyses of their answers.  Appropriate for 6th grade and up.

Watersheds TV

Produced by the non-profit Environmental Fund for Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection, this site provides educators with short videos (requiring RealPlayer) that profile innovative ideas for teaching about wetlands conservation, recycling, and other topics.

Wetlands Science, Education, and Information Resources

Compiled by the EPA's Office of Water, this index to wetlands resources on the Web includes activities, lesson plans, and games.

WhaleNet Curriculum

Part of WhaleNet's interactive Web site, this index provides access to reading materials, activities and lessons, data and information, and other online classroom materials devoted to whales.  WhaleNet is sponsored by Wheelock College in Boston.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution:  Educational Resources

The world-renowned WHOI provides an FAQ covering common questions about oceanography, and also offers an index of links to WWW resources on topics which include: aquatic animals; aquariums; careers in oceanography; polar areas; aquatic pollution; oceanographic research vessels; weather; and marine mammals.

|Back to Top|


Grades 9-12

The Brine Shrimp Project

From NC State's Science Junction, this site instructs students in the design of a laboratory investigation on the affects of different factors on the hatching and development of brine shrimp eggs. Lessons can be scaled for grades K-12.

Chesapeake Bay Foundation's Environmental Education

CBF's innovative educational curricula, the Chesapeake Choices and Challenges program, which integrate Bay-related activities with classroom instruction, give students the skills to investigate Bay problems and develop solutions. The implementation of two curriculum modules ("Your Watershed and the Bay" and "The Catch of the Bay") in Maryland middle schools and the Susquehanna Watershed Integrated Middle school Module (SWIMM) in Pennsylvania has been extraordinary. CBF is currently expanding its Chesapeake Choices and Challenges middle school curriculum project into Virginia with W.A.V.E. -Watershed Action for Virginia's Environment.  Field programs and Bay restoration projects offer exciting and challenging opportunities for students, while teacher training workshops and an online resources directory provide additional materials for educators.

Coral Reef Ecology Home Page

From the University of the Virgin Islands, this page provides concise information related to coral reef anatomy, types, threats, and other issues.

Estuary-Net Project Curriculum Activities

Estuary-Net was developed by the National Estuarine Research Reserve System in response to water quality issues arising in coastal areas. This project strives to develop collaborations among high schools, community volunteer water quality monitoring groups, local officials, state Coastal Zone Management (CZM) programs and National Estuarine Research Reserves (NERRS) to solve non-point source pollution problems in estuaries and their watersheds.  The classroom activities are divided into three levels in order to provide various degrees of involvement in the subject, ranging from only lab experiments to single field experiences to long-term monitoring. Each level is written using the 4MATŪ model of instruction in order to address all learning styles. Each level contains fourteen activities. The activities are divided among four quadrants, representing four different learning styles. Teachers are encouraged to do a minimum of eight activities by selecting at least one of the disciplines (earth science, biology, physics or chemistry) in the third quadrant. Each activity includes a telecommunication network component.

Into the Abyss:  A NOVA Online Science Adventure

An online tie-in to the highly regarded NOVA Science series on PBS, this site offers a fascinating glimpse into the deepest recesses of our oceans.  Read dispatches and view photographs as researchers descend to the ocean floor to study "black smokers," the underwater volcanoes which spew toxic chemicals from the Earth's core, and which host a collection of mysterious life forms, profiled and photographed in the site's "Deep Sea Bestiary."  Get a cross-sectional view "Inside a Tube Worm," and tour deep sea vents around the world.

Marine Biology Learning Center from Odyssey Expeditions

The MBLC provides concise overviews of marine biology topics to encourage a broader public understanding of marine issues and the importance of ocean habitats for the planet.  Subject areas include:  Ichthyology; Coral Reef Ecology; Marine Ecology; Coral Reef Bleaching; Dolphins; and Oceanography.

Ocean Planet

The Web companion to the Smithsonian Institution's traveling exhibition, this site offers photos and useful information about marine pollution, habitat destruction, global climate change, deep sea exploration, seafarers' tales, and profiles of people and organizations working to preserve our ocean planet.

Sea Urchin Embryology

This site offers high school and college educators resources related to sea urchin anatomy and physiology, development, and taxonomy.  It also provides guidelines for maintaining a sea urchin population for classroom study.  Also included are links to resources, introductory labs, and labs following fertilization and development of sea urchin eggs.  This site was developed by teachers and Stanford University researchers.

SeaWorld/Busch Gardens Animal Information Database

At this site you'll find reference guides to dozens of species and ecosystems, plus virtual field trips with wildlife researcher, geographic information, "Ask Shamu," and more.

U.S. Geological Survey's Water Science for Schools

This site offers a wealth of information, activities, photo and map galleries, and a data library.  A good site for both teachers and students.

Watersheds TV

Produced by the non-profit Environmental Fund for Pennsylvania, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Dept. of Environmental Protection, this site provides educators with short videos (requiring RealPlayer) that profile innovative ideas for teaching about wetlands conservation, recycling, and other topics.

Wetlands Science, Education, and Information Resources

Compiled by the EPA's Office of Water, this index to wetlands resources on the Web includes activities, lesson plans, and games.

Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution:  Educational Resources

The world-renowned WHOI provides an FAQ covering common questions about oceanography, and also offers an index of links to WWW resources on topics which include: aquatic animals; aquariums; careers in oceanography; polar areas; aquatic pollution; oceanographic research vessels; weather; and marine mammals.

|Back to Top|

 

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