Moonlit Migration

SCIENCE During the dark winter months in the Arctic Ocean, zooplankton migrate by the light of the silvery moon. (Christian Science Monitor) Use our fun activity to navigate plankton migration through poetry. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources in our Teachers’ Toolkit. Discussion Ideas According to the Christian Science Monitor, plankton usually engage in diel vertical migration. What is diel vertical … Continue reading Moonlit Migration

Spidery ‘Plankton’ Pours Down

ENVIRONMENT Millions of spiders dropped from the sky in Australia, blanketing the countryside with their webs. “We see these falls of spiderwebs that look almost as if it’s snowing,” said one local resident. (Nat Geo News) Use our resources to learn about slightly more terrifying arachnids from Down Under. Teachers, scroll down for a quick list of key resources, including a link to today’s MapMaker … Continue reading Spidery ‘Plankton’ Pours Down

Educators on Expedition: Cristina Veresan Meets the Arctic Food Chain

The following post was written by 2014 Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Cristina Veresan during her expedition to the Arctic. The Grosvenor Teacher Fellow Program is a professional development opportunity made possible by a partnership between Lindblad Expeditions and National Geographic Education.  Expedition Location: Arctic Svalbard, Norway A truly remote wilderness, the Svalbard archipelago is located about halfway between continental Norway and the North Pole in the Arctic … Continue reading Educators on Expedition: Cristina Veresan Meets the Arctic Food Chain

The Power of Poop, the Circle of Life

SCIENCE Marine biologists unravel baleen whales’ remarkable “manuring mechanism”—and secrets of the ocean food web. (NPR) Let our resources fill you in on all you ever wanted to know about marine food webs but were afraid to ask. Discussion Ideas Read the typically terrific article (with illustrations!) by one of my very, very favorite journalists, Bob Krulwich. Then, compare this photo of whale poop with this … Continue reading The Power of Poop, the Circle of Life

Help Map Ocean Plankton

SCIENCE A new study is calling on the world’s sailors to help map the oceans’ phytoplankton, microscopic organisms that form the bedrock of marine food webs. (BBC) Use our resources to learn how plankton makes the world go ’round. Watch this video to learn how to use the free Secchi app—then use it! Want more information on plankton? Of course you do! Watch this awesome … Continue reading Help Map Ocean Plankton