STANDARD - EVIDENCE MODELS AND EXPLANATION
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It's All Connected: Trophic Tag - COSEE Coastal Trends and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science 
Lesson PlanSummary
In this active game that illustrates the concepts of ecological balance, interdependence, and trophic energy transfer in marine food webs, students play the roles of organisms that are representative of the different aquatic trophic levels. The game can be played using various environmental conditions and manipulations of organism ratios to achieve a balanced marine ecosystem.
45 minsCulturing Bacteria - COSEE Coastal Trends
Lesson PlanSummary
Students collect water samples, plate the samples on suitable agar, and count bacteria colonies present in each sample to compare and contrast the types of bacteria living in a variety of aquatic environments.
Create a Bacterial Ecosystem - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
In this activity, students mix mud, water, a carbon source, and a sulfur source together in a clear bottle to create a stratified “column” of bacterial communities. Activity requires time to set up in the classroom as well as periodic observations as the "column" stabilizes (4-6 weeks)
Using Genetic Techniques - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students conduct “virtual labs” to explore how scientists extract DNA from samples, amplify the DNA (PCR/Polymerase Chain Reaction), and study the DNA (gel electrophoresis).
Where do the Critters Live? - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students investigate the influence of ocean temperature on the distribution of marine organisms by comparing online ocean temperature data to temperature tolerances of various organisms
Where Will the Stripers Be? - University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Summary
Students examine the influence of abiotic factors on the location of populations of Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass through analysis of temperature and dissolved oxygen data.
Hatch to Catch - Bigelow Laboratory and Dartmouth College
Summary
In this web-based simulation activity, students manipulate environmental variables in order to create optimal environmental conditions that will generate high “hatch” to “catch” survival rates in newly spawned lobster larvae.
Open ocean euphotic zone: The Great Turtle Race - National Geographic
Summary
Students manipulate environmental factors as they play the role of a migrating turtle moving through the ocean.
There are many diverse habitats in the open ocean, which contribute to the diversity of organisms.
Education Standards
Open ocean aphotic/twilight zone: All that Glitters - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students learn about deep-sea bioluminescence through a hands-on activity simulating the deep sea environment and the effect of lowered light on the different parts of the spectrum.
There are many diverse habitats in the open ocean, which contribute to the diversity of organisms.
Education Standards
Open ocean aphotic/twilight zone: Light at the bottom of the deep, dark ocean? - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students learn how organisms adapt to life in the ocean with little light through this role-playing activity.
There are many diverse habitats in the open ocean, which contribute to the diversity of organisms.
Education Standards
