SUBJECT - ENERGY FLOW
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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 minsPhotosynthesis and Respiration in Seagrass - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students conduct a hands-on experiment that illustrates how different levels of light affect photosynthesis and respiration in seagrass. Note: instructor may need to be creative with timing of the experiment to allow for an adequate incubation period.
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
Lesson PlanSummary
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.
The Odd Couple - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students learn about symbiotic relationships among organisms of the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands through observations and readings of expedition log entries.
There is a high diversity of life in the ocean with a wide range of functions and interactions.
Education Standards
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
Hydrothermal vents: Let’s Make a Tubeworm! - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students create a model of a tubeworm, learn about symbiotic relationships, and compare chemosynthesis with photosynthesis.
There are many diverse habitats in the open ocean, which contribute to the diversity of organisms.
Education Standards
Estuaries: Give Me Shelter - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students observe the feeding behavior and success rate of blue gill feeding on brine shrimp in two different environments; one with seagrass and one without.
Coastal ocean systems provide important habitats for organisms.
Education Standards
Estuaries: Predator Prey Interaction - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students explore the role of seagrass as habitats.
Coastal ocean systems provide important habitats for organisms.
Education Standards
Estuaries: Larvae Feeding - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students play the role of feeding fish to demonstrate how striped bass larvae feed on copepods, their zooplankton prey, and how larvae are preyed upon by bigger fish.
Coastal ocean systems provide important habitats for organisms.
Education Standards
