STANDARD - INTERDEPENDENCE OF ORGANISMS
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Aquatic Model Mania - COSEE Coastal Trends 
Lesson PlanSummary
Using a simulated model, students observe and manipulate the interactions of the components of an aquatic food web based upon the availability of nutrients.
Mathematical models are an essential tool for understanding ocean sciences.
Education Standards
45 minsThe Nitrogen Cycle - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students put together “puzzle piece” print-outs of the compounds comprising the nitrogen cycle and string the pieces together to reconstruct the pathways of the cycle.
The ocean is an integral part of the geochemical cycles. It is connected to land-based waterways, which transport materials to the ocean.
Education Standards
The Water Cycle and Global Warming - BioEd Online
Summary
Students trace the effects of global temperature change on oceanic surface levels through model and laboratory investigations.
The ocean plays a major role in the water cycle, which drives changes in weather and climate.
Education Standards
Top to Bottom - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Lesson PlanSummary
Students explore the possible impacts on deep sea ecosystems associated with changes in thermohaline circulation resulting from climate change.
Ocean processes have major effects on global climate change; global climate change could have major impacts on the ocean.
Education Standards
Where have all the glaciers gone? - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students investigate how changes in climate are affecting sea-ice, vegetation, and glaciers in the arctic, region. Students explore the “positive” and “negative” results of these changes.
Ocean processes have major effects on global climate change; global climate change could have major impacts on the ocean.
Education Standards
Ocean Drifters - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students first learn about the different groups of plankton and their characteristics. Then the students make a model plankton cell which is neutrally or slightly negatively buoyant.
Photosynthesis by marine plants produces much of the oxygen in the atmosphere and uses much of the carbon dioxide.
Education Standards
Being Productive in the Arctic Ocean - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students investigate the three major realms of the ocean in the Arctic region and identify limits on primary productivity in the region.
Photosynthesis by marine plants produces much of the oxygen in the atmosphere and uses much of the carbon dioxide.
Education Standards
It's All Connected: Trophic Tag - COSEE Coastal Trends and University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Summary
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.
Ocean from A to Z - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students create multi-media projects in which they research and report on organisms for each letter of the alphabet. The research is conducted in class and/or on their own over a two-week period.
There is a high diversity of life in the ocean with a wide range of functions and interactions.
Education Standards
Phyto or Zoo? - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students are introduced to different phytoplankton and zooplankton and build their own dichotomous key through an inquiry based lesson
There is a high diversity of life in the ocean with a wide range of functions and interactions.
Education Standards
