HANDS-ON SCIENCE KITS

Plankton:  (Grades 3–12 for Lessons 1, 2, & 3; Grades 6–12 for Lesson 4)

This kit explores plankton and their global importance through four lessons and an optional extension activity. Plankton are tiny plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) that are incapable of swimming against major currents in the ocean. In Lesson 1 (40 minutes), students learn about plankton through a narrated PowerPoint presentation and investigate and identify various phytoplankton. In Lesson 2 (45 minutes), students design their own phytoplankton. In Lesson 3 (50 minutes), students investigate zooplankton with a microscope. In Lesson 4 (60 minutes), students use an educational CD and virtual microscope to explore phytoplankton, learn about environmental factors that affect phytoplankton growth and distribution, and run a computer simulation to generate phytoplankton blooms. Lessons 1, 2, and 3 are suitable for Grades 3–12, whereas Lesson 4 is geared toward Grades 6–12. Computers (not provided) are required for Lesson 4, and the students (or the teacher) must provide the supplies for the optional extension activity. Pre- and post- surveys are included.

Lesson Materials

By clicking any of the links to download the lesson materials, you acknowledge that the educational materials may be reproduced for educational, non-commercial purposes only. Please contact Sheean Haley (shaley@ldeo.columbia.edu) or (845) 365-8166 to request teacher answer keys for this kit.

Resources

PowerPoint: Introduction_to_Plankton_2011.ppt (7 MB)

PowerPoint: Introduction_to_Plankton-NARRATED_2011.ppt(51 MB)

Outreach Box:  (All ages)

This kit was designed to facilitate marine science and oceanographic outreach at all levels.  These easy-to-implement activities have been selected as “big hits” with kids of all ages.  Explore various hands-on activities with “The Penny Plop” to teach density, shrink and overinflate a marshmallow to learn about air and ocean pressure, or learn about ocean acidification with the Straw Experiment.  These and other fun activities are all part of the Outreach Box.  

Lesson Materials

By clicking any of the links to download the lesson materials, you acknowledge that the educational materials may be reproduced for educational, non-commercial purposes only. Please contact Sheean Haley (shaley@ldeo.columbia.edu) or (845) 365-8166 to request teacher answer keys for this kit.

Resources

NOTE: If you have trouble downloading a file, please first try using a different browser (FireFox, Internet Explorer, Safari, Chrome, Opera, etc.) Still having problems? Contact shaley@ldeo.columbia.edu.

Artistic oceanographer program (aop)

1. •    A hands-on effort with the goal of engaging 5th grade school students in ocean sciences through the pairing of science and art lessons.  Developed and piloted in 2006 in Falmouth, Massachusetts, the program was created to teach students about the oceans, while adhering to existing state education standards.
   

whyville

•    A simulation based virtual world (whyville.net) for preteens and children, and its users (or “citizens”) engage in simulated “real-world” activities sponsored by a wide range of governmental, non-profit, and corporate entities. 

    Features developed by the Dyhrman lab group include:

1. •  Harmful algal bloom activity
   

2. •  Microbe War - a microbe game and card collection
   

3. •Project Tricho - categorize data from a video plankton   recorder to track Trichodesmium abundances