Marine Biology for Middle School Under the Sea Blue and Orange Illustrative Presentation
Ocean Inventions
Overview
In this Shark Tank-style lesson plan, students are given a marine biology challenge, and tasked with inventing a device to address the problem. Working in teams, they will brainstorm, design, and build prototypes of their solutions, applying principles of marine biology and engineering. Each team will then present their invention to a panel of judges, explaining the science behind their design and how it effectively addresses the prompt. This activity promotes creativity, critical thinking, and public speaking skills while fostering an understanding of marine conservation.
Introduction
Subjects: • Science • Marine Biology • Technology
Time: 45-60 minutes
Skills: •Creativity • Arts and Crafts • Teamwork • Problem-Solving • Critical-Thinking
Learning Objective/Goal:
- Students will design and create a device using craft supplies to address a specific marine conservation challenge.
- Students will present their inventions to the class, explaining the problem they addressed and how their device works.
Materials Needed:
- Various craft supplies (cardboard, tape, glue, scissors, markers, etc.)
- Informational resources about marine biology and conservation
- Rubric for assessing presentations (below)
Activity:
1. Introduction (15 minutes):
- Begin by discussing the importance of marine biology and conservation.
- Introduce the concept of "Oceanic Innovations" and explain that students will be participating in a Shark Tank-style activity where they will design inventions to address marine conservation challenges.
- Show past designs or innovations people have made to address this problem
2. Design and Prototyping (30 minutes):
- Using the craft supplies provided, have students brainstorm and design a device or solution to address the problem they identified.
- Encourage creativity and innovation in their designs.
- Allow time for students to build prototypes of their inventions and prepare to present them.
3. Shark Tank Presentations (variable time depending on class size):
- Invite students to present their inventions to the class in a "Shark Tank" style format.
- Each group will have a few minutes to pitch their invention and answer questions from their classmates.
- Score students based on the rubric (listed below)
Potential problems/prompts for students
- Plastic Pollution: Designing a device to collect plastic waste from beaches or waterways,
- Coral Reef Protection: Creating a structure or material that helps protect coral reefs
- Overfishing: Designing a tool or method to monitor and prevent overfishing
- Oil Spill Cleanup: Inventing a device to efficiently clean up oil spills or help wildlife affected
- Ocean Acidification Mitigation: Creating a method to reduce the acidity of seawater or protect marine organisms
- Beach Erosion Prevention: Inventing a structure or method to prevent beach erosion
Note: designs and inventions do not have to work or be designed neatly, the goal is to get students to be creative and think of ways to solve real-world problems
Extra
Tips for Students:
- Plan Your Design: Sketch your ideas before building.
- Collaborate Effectively: Work closely with your group to share ideas
- Innovate and Problem-Solve: Be creative while building your prototype
Tips for Teachers:
- Encourage Curiosity: Ask guiding questions and foster inquiry.
- Monitor Progress: Check in with groups and offer support.
- Promote Teamwork: Ensure active participation from all students.
- Guide Presentations: Help students organize and practice their presentations.
Extension Activities:
- Experimentation: Test inventions in simulated environments
- Long-Term Projects: Develop inventions for science fairs or competitions.
- Comparative Analysis: Compare student designs with existing solutions.
References & Further Research
-https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/ocean-threats#:~:text=Ocean%20Threats&text=Human%20activities%20are%20threatening%20the,marine%20ecosystems%20are%20rapidly%20changing.
-https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/oceans/issues/