Aquatic Biology
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.
|Back to Top|
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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