Educator Spotlight: Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Blade Shepherd-Jones led students through a hands-on study of the hazards of marine debris. Students explored the effects of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch on the marine animals native to the Hawaiian islands and their beachfront community. Their study culminated in student-led nature clean-ups, after which students made sculptures from debris depicting animals affected by marine pollution. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Investigating the Great Pacific Garbage Patch

Educator Spotlight: Uncovering an Ecological Mystery

Stefanie Frump challenged her high school students to consider what would happen if Tampa Bay’s blue crabs disappeared. Groups of students took on the perspectives of different stakeholders, presented possible solutions, and considered each other’s needs and ideas while developing a compromise. Continue reading Educator Spotlight: Uncovering an Ecological Mystery

We Have Unrealistic Beauty Standards for Coral, Too

ENVIRONMENT Experiments show that people value pretty reefs over healthy ones. (Hakai) Use our lesson plan to help introduce students to coral reef ecosystems. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas New research indicates our bias toward pretty pictures may influence our perception of coral reefs. What are coral reefs? Coral reefs are incredibly biodiverse ecosystems … Continue reading We Have Unrealistic Beauty Standards for Coral, Too

Bioluminescent Beasties Light Up California Beaches

SCIENCE Red tides and bright blue waves make SoCal glow. (San Jose Mercury News) What is bioluminescence? Use our great resource as a go-to reference. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas Why are waves turning electric blue when crashing into California beaches? Miles of Southern California beaches are experiencing a “red tide”—a rapid, dense accumulation … Continue reading Bioluminescent Beasties Light Up California Beaches

Old Ladies of the Sea

SCIENCE It’s no fish tale: The Greenland shark is the longest-lived vertebrate on the planet, a new study says. (Nat Geo News) Use our lessons, media, and articles to learn more about sharks. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers Toolkit. Discussion Ideas According to Nat Geo News, Greenland sharks are the longest-lived vertebrates on the planet. What is … Continue reading Old Ladies of the Sea