This lesson addresses the topic of Harmful Algal Blooms. Students will discover that harmful algal blooms (HABs) occur when algae, simple plants that live in the sea and form the base of the food web, produce toxic or harmful effects for people, fish, shellfish, marine mammals and birds. They will also learn that HABs have been reported in almost every coastal state in the United States, and that they can adversely affect not only the health of people and marine organisms, but also the "health" of local and regional economies. As students proceed through the lesson, they will be able to define and describe harmful algal blooms, compare and contrast ways in which algal blooms may be harmful, and describe actions that can be taken to reduce the impact of harmful algal blooms. All of the lessons emphasize hands-on activities using online data resources, and each inquiry-based activity includes focus questions, learning objectives, teaching time, background information, evaluations and extensions, as well as resources and student handouts.

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Publisher: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Ocean Service