Marine Science Curricula
Calling all educators! Bring marine science into your classrooms with these free resources developed by FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute. Spanning from kindergarten to 12th grade, these lessons have something for everyone and cover marine animals, ecosystems, important research, and STEM careers. Each was created by a team of scientists and educators, and include everything needed to conduct unique, hands-on, and inquiry-based activities. For more information about FAU Harbor Branch’s educational offerings please contact the Ocean Discovery Visitors Center at 772-242-2293.
High School
Science From The Sky
Florida’s connection with the ocean is vital, and as our climate continues to change, so must efforts to educate the next generation of researchers and environmental stewards. To bring FAU Harbor Branch research and expertise to classrooms across Florida, we have created a curriculum that allows high school students to dive into the world of an oceanographer. The course includes 5 lessons that cover important science topics and are paired with step-by-step tutorials on how to access, use and interpret NASA satellite data from an online tool called ‘Giovanni’. These activities teach students to analyze real-world data sets and apply their knowledge at both regional and global scales. The development of this curricula was supported by the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation and all of the resources have been accredited by the Florida Department of Education.
The Science From The Sky curriculum bundle includes:
- Five Florida standard-aligned lesson plans
- Lesson 1: Introduction to Oceanography and Remote Sensing
- Lesson 2: Currents & Temperature
- Lesson 3: Productivity
- Lesson 4: Interannual Variability- El Niño and La Niña
- Lesson 5: Harmful Algal Blooms
- Each lesson includes a PowerPoint presentation (with notes for the teacher), discussion questions, and an activity using real Florida oceanography data.
- We’ve also developed a Giovanni user-guide so that teachers and students can access, plot and interpret NASA satellite data.
- A teacher workshop video (below) that further explains these resources and provides a tutorial for educators.
Click the box below and enter your information to download this free curriculum bundle. Your information is being collected to track the reach of this effort and enable dissemination of updates, it will not be shared with any organization or individual. Please make sure to download the PowerPoints as .ppt files and enable the content in order to properly utilize their features.
KEEP THE SEA FREE OF DEBRIS
Over five trillion pieces of marine debris reside in oceans around the world, with approximately two trillion pieces originating from the United States alone! Debris can range from microscopic plastics to everyday trash items, abandoned fishing gear and even large vessels. For many people, this issue is out of sight and out of mind, however marine debris continues to harm the environment, wildlife, coastal economies, food security, and more. Although everyone contributes to the marine debris issue, we can also be a part of the solution! Our “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” resources can help educate teenage ambassadors about where marine debris comes from, why it matters, how they can contribute to citizen science, and ways they can advocate for a better world. This informal curriculum bundle is easily adaptable to fit a variety of programming needs and can be implemented during summer camps, science classes, after school activities and more. These resources were created by FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute scientists and educators through support from the United States Environmental Protection Agency.
The “Keep the Sea Free of Debris” curriculum bundle includes:
- Four Florida standard-aligned session plans
- Session 1: Let’s Talk Trash
- Session 2: Shore is a Lot of Marine Debris
- Session 3: Advocating for a Clean Sea
- Session 4: Oceans are Getting Sick, Time to Act Quick
- PowerPoint presentation with supplemental educational videos
- Data collection and advocacy workshops
- Educational activities
- Learning assessments and discussion questions
- Community cleanup and citizen science instructions
Click the box below and enter your information to download this free curriculum bundle. Your information is being collected to track the reach of this effort and enable dissemination of updates, it will not be shared with any organization or individual. Please make sure to download the PowerPoints as .ppt files and enable the content in order to properly utilize their features.
An Integrated Approach to Aquaculture
Aquaculture is the farming of aquatic plants and animals for food or restoration. This growing industry plays an important role in producing sustainable seafood and conserving marine resources for generations to come. For decades, FAU Harbor Branch has been a leader in aquaculture, and one of our most exciting technological advancements is the Integrated Multitrophic Aquaculture (or IMTA) system. This high school curriculum was developed by FAU Harbor Branch scientists and educators and can be used to complement a variety of classes including biology, technology, life science, economics and anthropology. Students will learn more about sustainable seafood production and aquaculture system design as well as some of the marine plants and animals that are being cultured. The development of this curricula was supported by the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation.
The Aquaculture curriculum bundle includes:
- A 30-minute virtual field trip to the FAU Harbor Branch Aquaculture Park
- A lesson plan
- An IMTA fact sheet
- Three worksheets
- A post-lesson quiz
Watch the FAU Harbor Branch Aquaculture Virtual Field Trip video below.
Click the box below and enter your information to download this free curriculum bundle. Your information is being collected to track the reach of this effort and enable dissemination of updates, it will not be shared with any organization or individual.
Middle School
Marine Mammal Mystery
FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute has been involved in marine mammal research for over 30 years. Our marine mammal rescue team and veterinarian are on-call 24/7 to respond to distressed dolphins and whales that are injured, entangled or stranded throughout Florida. Through this work they learn more about marine mammal health and the wide array of challenges these animals face. This 4th through 6th grade interactive curriculum allows students to become a detective and perform a necropsy simulation based on real scenarios. They’ll use clues to determine why the animal died, discuss how to protect marine mammals, and discover the importance of this work. The development of this curricula was supported by the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation.
The Marine Mammal Mystery curriculum bundle includes:
- Florida standard aligned lesson plans for 4th through 6th grade
- PowerPoint Presentation
- Necropsy activity instructions and print materials
- Necropsy plushie sewing instructions
- Informational video on necropsies (below)
Click the box below and enter your information to download this free curriculum bundle. Your information is being collected to track the reach of this effort and enable dissemination of updates, it will not be shared with any organization or individual.
Elementary School
HUMPBACK WHALE EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
From year-round residents to seasonal visitors, there are as many as 12 different whale species that can be found off Florida’s coast. Among them is the humpback whale, which is the most abundant whale in the Atlantic Ocean. Humpback whales have the farthest migration of any mammal and often travel along Florida, with sightings reported from the Treasure Coast. Many Floridians, however, are unaware that these amazing animals share our waters and the need to protect them. Promote awareness of these magnificent marine mammals by sharing our second and fourth grade humpback whale curriculum with your students! Each curriculum bundle features lesson plans, worksheets and activities that were developed by FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute scientists and educators in partnership with the Florida Department of Education. The development of this curricula was supported by the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation.
The “A Whale’s Tale” humpback whale curriculum bundle includes:
- Florida standard aligned lesson plans for two elementary grade levels
- Second grade
- Fourth grade
- Illustrated worksheets
- Instructions for fun, educational activities
- A 9.5-minute educational video for students to watch
- A book list with titles and read-aloud videos to add to your library
Click the box below and enter your information to download this free curriculum bundle. Your information is being collected to track the reach of this effort and enable dissemination of updates, it will not be shared with any organization or individual.
Right Whale Educational Resources
The educational resources include:
- A 9.5-minute video overview of biology and conservation of the North Atlantic right whale
- An illustrated story book and a set of activity sheets
- Three sets of lesson plans that are targeted for first, third and fifth grade students, and that are aligned with Florida State Educational Standards, Common Core State Standards, and the NOAA Ocean Literacy Framework
Questions about these materials may be directed to FAU Harbor Branch Director of Stranding and Population Assessment and Volunteer Coordinator Steve Burton. This work was funded in part by sales of Protect Florida Whales license plates granted through the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation
Select the grade level you’d like to access (the book and activity sheets are included with all grade levels) and enter your information to enable your download. Your information is being collected to track the reach of this effort and to enable dissemination of updates—it will not be shared with any organization or individual.
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