Marine Science Curricula

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.

Click here to download curriculum bundle

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 here to download curriculum bundle

Right Whale Educational Resources

With approximately 500 individuals left in the Atlantic Ocean from Canada to Florida, the North Atlantic right whale is among the rarest of the great whales, with threats that include ship strikes and fishing gear entanglements. The educational resources here were created to spread understanding and awareness of these magnificent marine mammals through a collaboration between FAU Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, FAU Pine Jog Environmental Education Center, and the Marine Resources Council, and with assistance from NOAA Fisheries and the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission. Funding was provided through sales of Protect Florida Whales specialty license plates granted through the Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute Foundation.

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.

Click on the grade level you'd like access to and enter your information to enable your download:

Grade Level: 1st Grade Grade Level: 3rd Grade Grade Level: 5th Grade

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