In this activity, centered on the ecology of a cold-seep community, students will investigate how deep-sea tube worms are adapted for a symbiotic relationship that allows them to survive. As they proceed, they should be able to describe chemosynthesis and contrast it with photosynthesis; describe features and list organisms of cold-seep communities; define symbiosis and provide examples; and describe ... Full description.

In this lesson students will investigate the three realms or biological communities of the Arctic Ocean and the issues surrounding primary productivity there. Students will be able to identify the three realms of the Arctic Ocean, describe the relationships between them, and identify major factors that limit primary productivity. They will also describe how these factors exert limiting effects and, ... Full description.

These activities were designed to enhance the second chapter of a module that teaches students how to distinguish between wetlands such as salt marshes, tidal brackish marshes and inland wetlands including freshwater marshes, wet meadows, forested swamps, shrub swamps, bogs, fens, and vernal pools. Also included in that chapter is a Guide to Wetland Wildlife in New England and Regional Wetland Celebrities ... Full description.

This is the first section of a module about wetlands in New England for educators and their middle school students. Although designed for students in New England, it applies to and gives examples of wetlands across the country. It suggests ways to study wetland characteristics, why wetlands are important, and how students and teachers can help protect a local wetland. This guide aims to help students ... Full description.

This resource presents a history of wetland loss and describes how wetlands are lost. It also stresses the consequences of wetland loss including flooding, loss of wildlife habitat, and declining water quality. The site is part of a module that aims to help students get to know the complexities of wetlands, discover wildlife, enjoy the experience of being outdoors, and learn how necessary wetlands ... Full description.

This activity opens with background information for teachers about dinosaurs. As a class, students compare the stance of lizards and dinosaurs in drawings and try to replicate both reptiles' walks. Students learn that some paleontologists classify birds as dinosaurs, and then work in groups to compare a Tyrannosaurus rex skeleton with pictures of birds. Full description.

In this classroom activity, middle school students examine the wide-ranging sizes of dinosaurs. The activity opens with background information about the enormous range of dinosaur sizes and a classroom discussion in which students describe the size of some of the dinosaurs they know. Then, working from gridded drawings which are provided, students create either a life-size drawing of a Tyrannosaurus ... Full description.

This site describes life in the Silurian period, which was a time when many biologically significant events occurred. The oceans saw a widespread radiation of crinoids, and a continued proliferation and expansion of the brachiopods. The time period also marks the wide and rapid spread of jawless fish, along with the important appearances of both the first known freshwater fish and the appearance of ... Full description.

This three part activity has students set up experiments to help them better understand the atmospheric portion of the carbon cycle. From this activity, they will be able to explain the concept of sources and sinks as they relate to carbon dioxide, the use of indicator solution bromothymol blue (BTB) to reveal the presence of carbon dioxide, and the qualitative differences between animal and fossil ... Full description.

This site presents an account of a research cruise to investigate how the food webs in different oceanic habitats vary. The scientists wanted to see ocean life in its natural environment and conduct experiments that would not be possible in the laboratory. They looked specifically at three types of ocean habitat: the open ocean, the continental shelf, and an upwelling area. The researchers were hoping ... Full description.