Students learn about adaptations of the pink river dolphin through concept mapping, and then they compare pink river dolphins with marine dolphins.
The theme of this guide is: achieving ocean health and balance through investigation and data collection techniques that show the necessity for marine sanctuaries, the effects of fisheries and the management practices being followed in today's oceans.
Learn about the effects of a changing climate on the Arctic ecosystem and four of its well-known mammals: the polar bear, the walrus, the Arctic fox and the beluga whale.
Students study a population of beluga whales to learn about the environmental issues that the whales currently face. They then work in teams to develop suggestions for how to help protect the population of belugas, which they present in a public service announcement (PSA).
In this two-hour program, Jean-Michel Cousteau and his team of explorers travel to both the Northern and Southern hemispheres as they seek out killer whales in the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. They discover that people and orcas share surprising similarities, even similar needs, and they relate their findings to the captivity and release of Keiko, from Free Willy fame, who captured the world̢ĺŰĺŞs imagination and whose survival depended on pioneering efforts to reintroduce Keiko into the wild. The team also learns how some of the threats to killer whales now intersect with human lives. During the expedition, intriguing detours arise, leading to critical examinations of our environment, of the food on our dinner tables, even of our own health.
Students learn how turtle populations may be affected by climate change and develop solutions to this potential problem.
View the video ̢ĺŰĺĎTrash on the Spin Cycle̢ĺŰĺ to discover what causes huge quantities of garbage to end up on the most remote islands in the world and how this garbage affects wildlife.
Using life-sized photographs, students participate in environmental monitoring of rocky intertidal and subtidal organisms.
Each student team researches and reports on one of the National Marine Sanctuaries and completes a thought-provoking worksheet to compare and contrast their sanctuary with the others.
Students create a kelp forest or coral reef food web, then research related shark species to learn about species interactions. Posters illustrate the shark̢ĺŰĺŞs role as key predator in the ecosystem.
The theme of this guide is the education and investigation of whale adaptations to natural and man-made migration obstacles.
Students trace the migration route of a gray whale and discover the gray whaleâs natural history.
Students conduct an experiment that demonstrates the effects of different fishing methods on bycatch. They use this foundation to create posters and public service announcements to share this information with other students.
Students will explore the kelp forest ecosystem by conducting research and by writing imaginary narratives through an activity that integrates science and language arts.
Students learn about the unique adaptations of sea stars and then research and develop a presentation on the adaptations of two other organisms.
In the Web-based game Kure Waste Chase, students take on the part of an Ocean Adventures expedition member volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and explore various habitats (beach, water surface and underwater) to collect as much harmful marine debris as possible in a limited amount of time. Use the tips and handouts below to turn the Kure Waste Chase game into a structured learning activity for your students.
View the video ̢ĺŰĺĎNudibranchs̢ĺŰĺ to learn about the adaptations of nudibranchs - colorful sea slugs with a remarkable means of defense
In this lesson, groups of students will gather information about the various careers of the members of the Ocean Adventures expedition team as well as learn about the strengths of having a team of diverse individuals working on a task.
Students study the vocalizations, hunting techniques and social behaviors of four communities of orcas and discuss whether, due to their differences, they can be considered different cultures.
In this activity, students collect and analyze data adapted from recent research that explores the correlation between the presence of fish farms and mortality rates in wild salmon runs adjacent to the fish farms. Students then relate their findings to nearby populations of orcas to theorize how a decline in the wild salmon population could affect orca populations.