Find a
Resource
Select grade level(s) Select resource type(s) Select collection(s) Select standard(s) Skip navigation Digital Library for Earth System Education
Digital Library for Earth System Education
Home
New to DLESE?
Search tips
Educational resources > Find a resource > Resource description
Ships' Ballast Water: A Mechanism for Introducing New Animals, Plants and Bacteria to Aquatic Environments
http://www.ccpo.odu.edu./OUTREACH_PROGRAMS/oeas/ballast.html
From DLESE Community Collection (DCC)
Comment on this resource
This lesson plan includes a teacher's demonstration and a slideshow tutorial. The purpose of this activity is to introduce students to the concept of biological invasions in aquatic environments as well as the development of public policy as it relates to the ocean. At the end of the lesson, students will understand that ballast water is water used on board ships to stabilize them in the water allowing safe navigation and that delivery of ships' ballast water to ports around the world is unintentionally introducing animals, plants and bacteria to new aquatic environments. Students will also understand that sometimes these organisms can have negative impacts, and that scientists, managers, and the shipping industry are working together to provide effective solutions to manage this problem. In addition students will realize that at a local level they can help minimize species introductions by not dumping aquarium plants and animals in the environment.
Intended for grade levels:
  • Intermediate (3-5)
  • Middle (6-8)
Type of resource:
  • For the classroom:
    • Lesson plan
Subject:
  • Environmental science
  • Ocean Sciences:
    • Biological oceanography
  • Policy issues
Technical requirements:
PowerPoint is required for slide show
Cost / Copyright:
No cost
The materials in this program are provided with the intention that they be readily available for personal and public non-commercial use. Materials may be reproduced in part or in whole without further permission, but users are required to acknowledge its authors.
DLESE Catalog ID: DLESE-000-000-008-515
Educational standards:
  • National Science Education Standards (NSES):
    • K-4:
      • Unifying concepts and processes:
        • Evidence, models, and explanation
      • B - Physical science:
        • Position and motion of objects
      • C - Life science:
        • Organisms and environments
    • 5-8:
      • C - Life science:
        • Diversity and adaptations of organisms
        • Population and ecosystems
Resource contact / Creator / Publisher:
Author: Dr Lisa Drake
Department of Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Old Dominion University

Author: Dr Martina Doblin
Department of Ocean, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
Old Dominion University