In this article, the author describes an activity using physical models -- each a clear plastic box enclosing a miniature coastal town, complete with real water in the "ocean." This activity shows students a natural cause-and-effect relationship that is scientifically simple, yet even many adults don't grasp the worldwide implications:…

The Parallel Curriculum Model (PCM) lends itself to considering curriculum development from different angles. It begins with a solid Core Curriculum and can then be extended through the Curriculum of Connections, Practice, and Identity. This article showcases a way of thinking about the creation of a PCM unit by providing examples from an…

In this article, 61 high-school students learned about ocean acidification through a virtual laboratory followed by a virtual lecture and an asynchronous discussion with a marine scientist on an online platform: VoiceThread. This study focuses on the students' development of ocean literacy when prompted to ask questions to the scientist. The…

Everyone needs strong observational skills to solve challenging problems and make informed decisions. However, many students expect to find exact answers to their questions by using the internet and do not understand the role of uncertainty, especially in decision making and scientific research. Humans and other animals choose among many options…

To apply students' savvy internet skills in the science classroom--as well as capture their interest in science and investigation, and provide opportunities for authentic research--introduce them to real-time data from ocean-observing systems. Students can use data from these ocean-observing systems to discover the winds and waves from storms or…

Describes a Nevada elementary school's yearly Oceans Week program with schoolwide activities and integrated curricula focusing on the ocean. Each grade emphasizes different ocean habitats, and all subject areas support the theme. Hallways are decorated to look like assigned habitat, and PTA volunteers supervise activity stations. (SM)

Presents a collection of activities to help elementary students study ocean ecology. The activities have students investigate ocean inhabitants, analyze animal adaptations, examine how temperature and saltiness affect ocean creatures, and learn about safeguarding the sea. Student pages offer reproducible learning sheets. (SM)

Describes a second grade activity for the ocean-animals unit which uses the Kid Pix computer program. Students research an ocean animal, write rhyming couplets about it, discuss shape poems, draw outlines of their animals, trace the outlines onto a transparency, tape the transparency to the computer monitor, and use Kid Pix to type the poem onto…

This resource guide is designed to help educators find curricula, multimedia resources, and other educational materials that can enhance the teaching of environmental education in a variety of settings. Curriculum guides and other educational materials listed in this guide were evaluated by classroom teachers, content experts, and environmental…

Describes an oceanography learning center for elementary/middle school students, focusing on use of games (review jeopardy), instructional tapes, flash cards, activity felt boards, picture puzzles, reading materials, science displays, and experiment stations. (JN)

This teaching guide is designed for use with three units of study (presented in separate booklets titled "The Ocean,""The Harvest," and "Using the Sea Wisely"). The multidisciplinary units contain teaching and learning resources designed to provide: students with learning experiences using a variety of thinking…

The purpose of the teacher's guide is to acquaint students at the eighth grade level with occupations in the earth sciences. By identifying earth science and exploring geology, oceanography, and meteorology, students may become aware of the knowledge and skills required of workers in these occupations. Students participate in simulated work…

These activities are part of a series of 17 teacher-developed instructional activities for geography at the secondary-grade level described in SO 009 140. In the activities students develop map skills by learning about and using nautical charts. The first activity involves students in using parallel rulers and a compass rose to find their…

Demonstrating wave processes quantitatively in the classroom using standard classroom tools (such as Slinkys and wave tanks) can be difficult. For example, waves often travel too fast for students to actually measure amplitude or wavelength. Also, when teaching propagating waves, reflections from the ends set up standing waves, which can confuse…

Presents a lesson for teaching geography and science by concentrating on the oceans. Includes topography, wave dynamics, and ratio of ocean to land mass. Focuses on geographic themes of location, place, and region. Suggests that students will visualize and manipulate information as they are introduced to concepts in physics and earth science. (DK)