|
A 4-5 Week Science Unit for Intermediate Level
Essential Questions:
-
How do people interact with the ocean?
-
What can we do to take care of the ocean?
Enduring Understandings:
- Connections between humans and the ocean are important.
- Everyone is responsible for caring for the ocean.
- Science is a way to help us study the many connections in our world.
This unit is designed for 5th grade, but could be adapted to other grades. Students develop an understanding of the connections between humans and the ocean through case studies, analysis of changing technology, and activities that illustrate impacts of one part of a system on its other components. They plan and carry out a monitoring activity, create community awareness, and take action to protect the ocean.
Ocean Literacy Principles Addressed:
- The Earth has one big ocean with many features.
- The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
- The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
Investigation 1: The Legend of the Bidarki How are people who harvest marine life such as bidarkis part of an interconnected system? |
|
Investigation 2: Fishing for the Future How does technology change our success in fishing? |
|
Investigation 3: Ocean Impacts What are some ways that humans can have an impact on marine life in the ocean? |
|
Investigation 4: Human Impact Survey How do human actions change the (name of area or water body)? Are these changes helpful or harmful? |
|
Investigation 5: Friends of the Sea How can we be stewards of the ocean? |
Brandon Beard, Teacher, Kotlik
Glenn Oliver, Teacher, Anchorage
Sheryl Sotelo, Teacher, Homer
Marilyn Sigman, Scientist, Center for Alaska Coastal Studies, Homer
Stephanie Hoag, Curriculum Consultant, Juneau
Marla Brownlee, Alaska Sea Grant