Search

This environmental education teaching guide for middle school teachers features information on the National Estuarine Reserve System in Maryland. Pre-trip field activities, field trip activities, and post-trip activities are discussed, and a list of useful resources and organizations is provided. Reproducible handouts are included throughout the guide. (Contains 47 references.) (YDS)

This activity book is part of a series designed to take a concept or idea from the existing school curriculum and develop it in the context of the Great Lakes using teaching approaches and materials appropriate for students in middle and high school. The theme of this book is life in the Great Lakes. Students learn about shorebird adaptations, invader species, food webs, and biomass pyramids. Activities are divided into several subjects: (1) Organisms in the Lakes; (2) Ecological Relationships; and (3) Estuary Values and Changes. The activities are characterized by subject matter compatibility with existing curriculum topics. Several kinds of connections have been designed to assist teachers in finding the place where the new materials fit and also the justification for fitting them. The connections include a Framework of Seven Understandings developed by science teachers, science educators, and scientists to represent fundamental desired results of science education. Each activity in this book addresses a number of these Understandings and two or more Earth subsystems. Connections are also made to the National Science Education Standards and the Benchmarks for Science Literacy. (PVD)

Estuaries are marine systems that serve as nurseries for animals, links in the migratory pathways, and habitat for a complex community of organisms. This curriculum guide intended for use at the high school level seeks to teach what estuaries are; provide opportunities to practice decision-making that affects estuaries; and encourage students to examine their behaviors that affect their estuary. Equally divided into three sections, the first section presents five chapters concerning the geology, local history, ecology, literature and arts, and human use of estuaries that serve as background information for the teacher and students. The second section presents seven activities coordinated with the assignments at the end of the chapters. The activities include taking a field trip to an estuary, conducting a plankton study, monitoring estuary water quality, keeping a marine aquarium, writing activities involving estuaries, thinking globally about estuaries, and exploring what students can do for estuary protection. The third section identifies resource materials for the class. Resources include lists of estuary ecology, protection, and literature resources; a field guide to Padilla Bay organisms; reproducible masters for use during the activities and lessons; answers to chapter questions; a glossary of 59 terms; and a bibliography of 39 references. An evaluation sheet for teachers using the guide is provided. (MDH)

This document is a pretrip instruction manual that can be used by secondary school and college teachers who are planning trips to visit the tropical habitats in South Florida. The material is divided into two parts: (1) several fact sheets on the various habitats in South Florida; and (2) a number of species lists for various areas. Factsheets on the classification of marine environments, the zones of the seashore, estuaries, mangroves, seagrass meadows, salt marshes, and coral reefs are included. The species lists included algae, higher plants, sponges, worms, mollusks, bryozoans, arthropods, echinoderms, vertebrates, insects, and other invertebrates. The scientific name, common name, and a brief description are supplied for all species. Activities on the behavior and social life of fish, a dichotomous key for seashells, and a section that lists useful references for Florida field trips are included. (KR)

Everglades National Park is recognized as one of the most threatened National Parks in the country. Human and technological intervention has affected the park's water resources, fauna and flora through the introduction of foreign species. This curriculum-based activity guide is intended for intermediate grade students. It has been designed from a myriad of educational activities mutually created by classroom teachers and park staff, and used in the park's Environmental Education program. It is designed to meet the needs of teachers and students who may never visit the park as well as for on-site lessons about the everglades ecosystem. The document presents the following: (1) four activities to introduce students to the purpose of the National Park System, and basic concepts associated with the Everglades ecosystem; (2) six activities that introduce components of the ecosystem, the interrelation of these components, and recommendations for future use of the environment that will impact these components; (3) seven activities that focus on the importance of plants and trees in the Everglades, and an evaluation scheme concerning future human impact upon them; (4) 12 activities that focus on the wildlife of the Everglades food chains; (5) eight activities involving the issues of timing, quantity, quality, and distribution of water resources in the Everglades; and (6) a series of appendices that provide background information for the activities, supplementary activities, songs, a vocabulary of common Everglade and ecological terms, and a list of resource materials and bibliography. Each lesson plan begins with a section containing pertinent subject areas, length of activity, location, and key vocabulary. This section is followed by instructional objectives and methods, background information, materials, procedures, and an evaluation section. (MCO)

The objective of this document is to provide information about estuaries, the impact of uses on the environmental health of an estuary, and what communities and concerned individuals can do to manage and protect their local estuarine resources successfully. Much of the information presented here pertains to other embayments along the Maine coast that may not be true estuaries. The first of the book's three chapters describes natural features of estuaries in Maine and the importance of these special environments. The second chapter details the sources and effect of water pollution and habitat alteration on estuarine resources. The final chapter examines how land use planning can be used to protect and improve coastal water quality and natural resources. Regulatory and nonregulatory tools that promote wise stewardship of estuarine resources are reviewed. A 14-item reference list is provided. Sources for more information are summarized in the appendix. (KR)

A series of science experiments and activities designed for secondary school students taking biology, chemistry, physics, physical science or marine science courses are outlined. Each of the three major sections--chemistry, biology, and physics--addresses concepts that are generally covered in those courses but incorporates aspects of marine science. Within each section, major concepts such as density, pH, photosynthesis, respiration and sound are supported by student activities. Each activity contains background reading materials, a materials list, procedures for completing the activity, and extension ideas. At the end of each concept division, references, resources, and education competencies are listed. The chemistry section includes activities on chemical reactions in the marine environment; density dynamics and estuaries; pH, equilibrium and ocean buffering; and behavior of gases in the marine environment. The biology section includes activities on new discoveries; biochemistry; animal adaptations; geologic history and the oceans; seashells and scientific names; behavior of ocean creatures; and man and the ocean. The physics section includes activities on the motion of the ocean, sound, and light in the sea. (KR)

Estuaries are marine systems that serve as nurseries for animals, links in the migratory pathways, and habitat for a complex community of organisms. This curriculum guide intended for use at the middle school level is designed for use with the on-site program developed by the Padilla Bay National Esturine Research Reserve (Washington). The guide is divided into three main sections: (1) pre-trip information, activities, and resources; (2) on-site program materials; and (3) post-trip ideas that integrate the trip with language arts, social studies, mathematics, science, physical education, creative thinking, art, music, and health. All three sections are considered essential for the success of the program. Other sections in the guide contain information about the plant, human, and animal life related to estuaries and a form to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. (MDH)

This teacher's guide, one of nine teacher packages developed for use in the sequential, hands-on, field-oriented, K-8 environmental education program of the Martin County Schools in Florida, was developed for use with elementary children in grade six prior to and after a visit to an environmental studies center located near an estuarine area. The grade six program centers around the theme "River Investigations" and includes the use of a survey boat to investigate the siltation of a river bottom, changes in salinity, and other factors of the estuarine ecosystem. This guide contains teacher instructions, scripts, tests with keys, and a copy of all student materials. Three slide/tape programs are not included. General and specific program objectives are stated and a program outline, including learning activities to be completed at the school and environmental studies center, is detailed. (BT)

The Chesapeake Bay is the largest estuary in North America, providing food and habitat for an abundance of fish and wildlife. This booklet provides lesson plans for lower elementary students introducing the Chesapeake, its inhabitants, and pollution problems, and suggesting ways that individuals can contribute to the Bay's restoration. Background material for teachers is divided into sections on fish, wildlife, and other general Bay information; information about water; and pollution and conservation issues. Each lesson plan indicates grade level, instructional objectives, materials needed, subjects, and student skills. Plans incorporate a variety of disciplines, particularly language skills. Lessons cover the watershed concept; ways in which rain reaches the Bay; plants, animals, and the Bay ecosystem; animals' adaptations to their habitat; Bay food sources; water use, conservation, and pollution; garbage and recycling; and litter from the animals' perspective. Student pages include a coloring book, activity worksheets, and instructions for making fish mobiles and bird feeders. Appendices contain a map of the Chesapeake Bay watershed and addresses of Chesapeake Bay organizations, educational resources, and environmental groups and agencies. (SV)

The ocean affects all of our lives. Therefore, awareness of and information about the interconnections between humans and oceans are prerequisites to making sound decisions for the future. Project ORCA (Ocean Related Curriculum Activities) has developed interdisciplinary curriculum materials designed to meet the needs of students and teachers living in Washington State. Each activity packet provides the teacher with a set of lessons dealing with a particular topic related to the oceans. Included are student worksheets, lesson plans, a vocabulary list, and a bibliography. This activity packet is designed to introduce senior high school students to some basic concepts of marsh, estuary and wetland ecology. Each of these habitats comprise an important link in the cycling of water through a watershed. A review of the watercycle and an introduction to the classification of watershed systems sets the stage for further investigation into each habitat. Field experiences focus learning on very specific features of the wetlands and marshes. Data for a site is collected through scientific analysis and an inventory of the hydrology, vegetation and wildlife, and the visual, cultural, economic, and educational values for that site. (TW)

This educational packet consists of an overview, three lesson plans, student data sheets, and a poster. The overview examines estuaries and tidal or salt marshes by discussing the plants and animals in these habitats, marsh productivity, benefits and management of the habitats, historical aspects, and development and pollution. A glossary and list of reference materials are included. The lesson plans provide a statement of purpose, a list of learning outcomes, instructional strategies (including those related to student data sheets), a list of materials needed, and a quiz. The lessons focus on: (1) the influence of tides on the habitats; (2) productivity and recreational values of tidal marshes and estuaries; and (3) how estuaries function as "nutrient traps." The two-sided poster shows (on side 1) the plants and animals that live in the various zones of a salt marsh and (on side 2) a gallery of estuarine species and products that are important to commercial and sport fishing in the United States. An additional student sheet is also included with a "hidden animal puzzle" on one side and a poem which depicts the salt marsh experience on the other side. (JN)

Designed to help teachers develop students' awareness and understanding of some of Hawaii's endangered aquatic resources, this module contains activities and instructional suggestions for use with intermediate as well as high school students. The module is divided into two sections which explore the streams and estuaries of Kauai. Activities in each section contain a learning objective, material list, procedures, and in most cases discussion questions. Many of the activities provide opportunities for students and teachers to interact directly with the environment. Although the module deals with specific sites on Kauai, the information and activities presented are applicable to comparable sites on any of the other islands. Appendices contain several instructional directives among which are: (1) identification guide to exotic stream fuana; (2) identification and biology of native stream animals; (3) plankton net construction; (4) identification guide to life in Hawaiian estuaries; (5) tables for conversion of specific gravity to salinity and (6) suggested additional activities for estuary field trips. (ML)

Padilla Bay National Estuarine Research Reserve in Washington is managed by the Washington State Department of Ecology, Shorelands and Coastal Zone management Program. This guide is designed for primary teachers to complement a visit to the reserve and is a useful resource to teach about estuaries, shorelands, and coastal resources. Activities are divided into four sections. In the first section, five pre-trip activities introduce students to estuaries, describe different habitats within the estuary, familiarize students with birds found in estuaries, and have students observe differences between fresh and salt water habitats. On-site materials in the second section include information to parents, a map of the park, a scavenger hunt, and beach etiquette. The third section includes 22 post-trip activities involving plant and animal life in the estuary. A resources section contains lists of 11 children's books, 2 magazines, 7 reference books, 5 related curricula, 7 additional places to visit, 2 organizations, and a road map. (MDH)

This booklet integrates science, history, and environmental education to help students acquire a basic understanding of the importance of the Great Lakes located in the United States. The packet also contains a Great Lakes Basin resource map and a sand dune poster. These materials introduce students to a brief history of the lakes, the diversity of freshwater aquatic life, the complexity of the Great Lakes watershed, and environmental concerns. Appended are a listing of Great Lakes educator resources, field trip/educational opportunities, and educational tools for those teachers who may wish to pursue additional Great Lakes environmental educational opportunities. (KR)

This multidisciplinary, self-contained curriculum unit focuses on the management of the Chesapeake Bay, a threatened and complex environmental system. Major unit goals include identifying and analyzing conflicting interests, issues, and public policies concerning the Bay, and determining their effects on people and the environment. The unit includes a teacher's guide which provides a unit overview and the purpose, list of materials needed, and procedures for 12 activities. Also included are appendices, student materials, a data bank (which consists of topics related to the Bay's environmental setting and natural resources, and the various human uses and impacts). The appendices include: a cross reference to data bank topics and issues; script for a slide/tape presentation about the Bay; descriptions of 20 Bay-related environmental issues (such as commercial shipping, recreational boating, beach access, and shore erosion); history and purpose of environmental impact statements; and other materials. Although designed for high school science and social science courses (such as general/advanced biology, United States government, and environmental studies), the unit can be adapted with slight modification to meet the interests and needs of gifted and talented middle school students. In addition, citizen groups could readily use the materials to enhance their decision-making skills. (JN)

Coastal resources are highlighted in this activity book for primary school children. Special focus is given to Mississippi's coastal areas, but applications to other geographic areas can be made. Wetland concepts and conditions are developed through a variety of games, puzzles, matching exercises and pictorial explanations. Activities addressing the following topics are included: barrier islands; plankton; tidal marshes; food chains; vertebrate and invertebrate species; fishes; birds; and coastal resources. Also included is an answer sheet for all the activities and exercises. (ML)

The "Maryland: Mountains to the Sea" exhibit (National Aquarium in Baltimore) consists of four exhibits and eight graphics panels. The exhibits are an Allegheny pond and a salt marsh which are both partially open, Assateague beach which includes birds, and the continental shelf. A variety of Maryland pond and ocean fish, crabs, and water birds are displayed in the exhibits. The graphics panels include information on the water cycle, the Chesapeake Bay, the productivity of the marsh and the bay, and information on the continental shelf. This guide is designed to be used in conjunction with a trip to this exhibit. The trip fits well with units that include topics related to the ecology of a pond, marsh, or estuary, Maryland geology and geography, the Chesapeake Bay, food webs, and the water cycle. The guide include: (1) introductory information about the exhibits; (2) pre-visit activities suggestions; (3) post-visit activities suggestions (including a water cycle crossword puzzle, information on and procedures for constructing a simple model estuary, a geography exercise on the Chesapeake Bay, procedures for making a hydrometer, and other activities); (4) a list of suggested readings; and (5) a list of suggested films (keyed by location and age/educational level). (JN)

This booklet contains the third in a series of three interdisciplinary units which focus specifically on the Pacific Ocean and its surrounding countries. The unit, intended primarily for upper secondary students, consists of readings and interdisciplinary activities (science, art, social studies, English, and home economics) presented in four parts. Part 1 looks at the issue of using the sea wisely in broad terms and raises the question of the world's food problem and present and potential ocean resources. Part 2 gives a basic introduction to some concepts of international law as they relate to the law of the sea. A case study on the regulation of whales is included. Part 3 examines the main sources of ocean pollution, focusing in particular on oil spills and chemical effluent from industry. The importance of and damage to shoreline and estuarine systems is addressed, as is the effectiveness of the Kuala Juru Co-operative in Malaysia, where local inhabitants responded to pollution by creating a new aquaculture fishery and administering it through a cooperative. Part 4, which focuses on fishery management, includes a case study on the state of the Southern Bluefin and discussions of ecosystem management, aquaculture, and finding alternatives for fish and fish products. (JN)

The major groups of marine and estuarine macroinvertebrates of the tidal marshes of the northern Gulf of Mexico are described in this guide for students, taxonomists and generalists. Information on the recognition characteristics, distribution, habitat, and biology of salt marsh species from the coelenterate, annelid, mollusk and arthropod phyla is given. The taxonomy of some species is clarified. Most of the species discussed are illustrated. Binomial scientific names are used in the guide, but common names are provided when known. The authorities who originally named and described the species and the year in which it was described are credited. A bibliography of related publications is given. Taxonomic keys and schematic drawings of some polychaete worms, mollusks, and crustaceans associated with tidal marshes are also provided. A glossary contains frequently used terms associated with organisms of the tidal marsh. (ML)

Parasites and related symbionts of marine and estuarine hosts of the northern Gulf of Mexico are described in this guidebook. It is meant primarily to serve as a teaching aid for the novice student, but it also contains more technical aspects for the experienced parasitologist. Forms and examples of symbiosis are explained in an introductory statement. Information, diagrams, and illustrations on the various hosts of parasites are then presented in separate sections. These include: (l) invertebrates as hosts (highlighting symbionts of the American oyster; blue crab, penaeid and grass shrimp); (2) vertebrates as hosts (concentrating on parasites of fishes, the alligator, birds, and marine mammals); (3) miscellaneous symbionts (explaining the infestations by selected nematodes, flatworms, barnacles, and gnats); (4) fish-kills and miscellaneous diseases (identifying causal factors contributing to the kills); and (5) technical aspects (citing research findings related to the specific organisms covered in preceding sections). A listing is provided of all the referenced literature and a glossary is also included of the common terms related to symbionts. (ML)

At least 70% of the Earth is covered with water. This packet provides background information on eight areas of concern regarding marine and coastal resources. Considered are: (1) "Coastal Resources"; (2) "Mangroves"; (3) "Coral Reefs"; (4) "Ocean Resources"; (5) "Aquaculture"; (6) "Pollution"; (7) "Marine Debris"; and (8) "The Global Commons." Activities included in this packet are designed to increase students' awareness of these issues. Each activity includes a brief description, a concept statement, objectives, a list of relevant subject areas and skills, materials, and procedures. Several maps and worksheets for copying are included in this packet. Individual activity lessons include: "Common Concerns"; "Bringing up Baby"; "Polyp Pile-up"; "Mangrove Trees: Up to their Knees in Salty Seas"; "Sea of Debris"; and "Wave of the Future." A picture for coloring is also included. (CW)