Human Impacts—You’re Excluded Summary: Although fishing gear may be designed to catch a particular species of marketable fish, sometimes other species also accidentally get caught. Through hands on simulation, students explore how fishing trawls may be modified to reduce bycatch. Concepts to teach: Bycatch, excluder, trawl, iterative, efficiency, selectivity, engineering design Goals: To deal with […]
Human Impacts—How Many Fish? Summary: How many fish do humans harvest, and can we harvest as many as we can and still expect fish populations to remain stable over time? Through hands-on modeling activities, students explore issues of population ecology and stock management issues in the Pacific Northwest. All of the activities presented here lead […]
Human Use of Resources—Fishing Summary: For many Oregonians, one of the primary ways they connect with the ocean is through catching and eating seafood. This topic guide explores the story of Oregon’s fishing history, and invites students to reflect on the impacts seafood and fishing have in their own lives. Concepts to teach: Recreational fishing, […]
Human Use of Resources—Beach Bill Summary: For many Oregonians, one of the primary ways they connect with the ocean is through recreational tourism. Over one million vacationers visit Oregon’s beaches each year. This topic guide explores the history and unique legislation concerning public beach access in Oregon. Concepts to teach: Beach bill, legislation, public access, […]
Place—Words from the Ocean Summary: No matter how far away we might live from the beach, we are culturally connected to the ocean and its resources. Students discover how some common English words and phrases can be tied to maritime history. Concepts to teach: Language arts, social studies Goals: Students recognize how the ocean’s prominence […]
Coastal Ecology—Exploring Symbiosis Summary: In this lesson from the Oregon Institute of Marine Biology, “students participate in a game to understand the meanings of different types of symbiosis. Children discover the mean and importance of symbiosis by matching hosts and symbionts based on their respective needs. Symbiosis is an excellent example of the interconnectivity between […]
Coastal Ecology—Kelp Forests Summary: It’s difficult for a class of students to actually swim under the sea and truly experience the wonder of kelp forest ecosystems. In this lesson from OIMB, students explore kelp forests through video. Furthermore, they gain experience collecting data and summarizing a scientific investigation. Concepts to teach: Kelp forest ecology, diversity, […]
Coastal Ecology—Recipe for an Ocean Summary: This activity will inspire students to brainstorm the components that make up an ocean community and introduce them to the concepts of food chains, energy transfer and food webs. The second part of the activity, designed for older students, challenges them to create a food web in relation to […]
Coastal Habitats & Species—Ocean Animal Adaptations Summary: This topic guide focuses on classroom and field trip activities that show students that the ocean is home to a variety of animal species, and each has structural and behavioral adaptations that help it survive in marine ecosystems. Concepts to teach: Adaptation, marine ecosystems, evolution Goals: The ocean […]
Coastal Habitats & Species—Squid Dissection Summary: Students will dissect a squid, learn about squid anatomy and adaptations, and then compare their dissected specimen to an octopus. Concepts to teach: Squid anatomy and adaptations, Compare and Contrast Goals: Students will investigate and discuss internal and external squid anatomy. Some features of the squid will be compared […]