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The Sea
Viewed from space, Earth is a blue planet. Indeed, since more than two-thirds
of the Earth's surface is covered with water, it might be more appropriate
to call it "Ocean" rather than "Earth."
Throughout all history the oceans have either directly or indirectly
influenced humans. Ocean waters influence our weather patterns, serve
as a source of food and valuable minerals, provide a vast highway for
commerce, afford opportunities for recreation, and stimulate our interest
in scientific research.
Most life on Earth depends on the ocean. Unfortunately, many human activities
impact the ocean in harmful ways. The depths of our planet's oceans may
be considered Earth's last frontiers of exploration. Perhaps by learning
more about the sea, we will gain a better understanding of the role we
must play in protecting it.
Places To Go | People To See | Things To Do | Teacher Resources | Bibliography
Places To Go
Ocean
Planet
Tour the Ocean Planet Exhibition as it was presented at the Smithsonian
Institution's National Museum of Natural History. The exhibition covers
a variety of topics about the ocean. It also includes a variety of educational
materials, including a set of lessons and marine science activities, which
adapt several themes of the exhibition for use in the middle and high
school classroom.
All
About Oceans and Seas
Why is the ocean salty? Why is it blue? What causes waves and tides? To
find the answer to these questions and more, check out Enchanted Learning's
"All About Oceans and Seas."
Neptune's
Web
This US Navy site has information for students as well as teachers. This
link is to their home page with access to their "Student Sea of Knowledge"
containing trivia, an oceanographic encyclopedia, an ask an expert function,
and information about careers in oceanography. There are also resources
for teachers.
National Aquarium in Baltimore
If you have ever wanted to visit an aquarium but couldn't, this site is
for you. Produced by the National Aquarium in Baltimore, this site provides
information about exhibits, lessons, and outreach at the aquarium. Surfers
of this site can learn about jellyfish, sea anemones, sharks, and much
more.
Ocean World
Oceans have the power to influence every system on Earth including long-term
global atmospheric patterns (warming and cooling), daily weather conditions,
and land resources. This site describes how these interactions work.
People To See
The
Cousteau Society
Learn more about the famous ocean advocate and explorer Jacques Cousteau.
For four decades, this famous Frenchman sailed around the world in his
ship the Calypso, exploring and filming Earth's oceans. Although Cousteau
died in 1997, The Cousteau Society, founded in 1973, continues to carry
out its mission of documenting humanity's interaction with natural ecosystems
and rousing the consciousness of Earth's citizens.
Dr.
Robert Ballard
Learn more about undersea explorer and archaeologist Robert Ballard--most
famous for discovering the wreckage of the R.M.S. Titanic.
Sylvia Earle
An interview with the undersea explorer.
Things To Do
Dive and
Discover
Join a virtual expedition to the eastern Pacific Ocean to look for new
volcanic eruptions on the crest of the mid-ocean ridge. You can read the
daily updates by the crew, watch a movie of a volcanic seafloor, and learn
about topics from vent biology to the earth's anatomy in the "infomods."
The
Blue Frontier Sustainable Seas Expedition
Follow famed ocean scientist Sylvia Earle as she explores the United States'
last frontier: the ocean. Take the DeepWorker sub on a simulated dive
through the Monterey Bay kelp forest and learn more about the 12 U.S.
National Marine Sanctuaries. The site also has links to classroom ideas
and activities.
Oceans
Explore the open seas, an interesting and little understood world full
of bizarre and fascinating creatures. This site focuses on the Ocean's
complex food chain and its many organisms that have adapted to extreme
and unusual conditions in the world's oceans.
Making
Waves
"Making Waves" is a unique multi-media approach to learning
that offers teachers and students an insider's view of current, relevant
ocean science research efforts. It is intended to team teachers, scientists,
and students in an attempt to deliver real-world science to middle school
classrooms. The site contains scientifically accurate articles and web-based
curricular activities crafted by teachers for teachers.
New
York Times Questions and Answers about the Sea
Check out this collection of oceanography questions and answers compiled
by The New York Times. Topics range from what makes sea foam to why icebergs
are made mostly of fresh water. This is a very good science project "ideas"
site.
Ocean
Virtual Fieldtrip
How about taking an ocean virtual field trip?
Teacher Resources
Year of
the Ocean (YOTO) Kids' and Teachers' Corner
A wealth of information and activities about the ocean.
Lawrence
Hall of Sciences MARE Site
Lawrence Hall of Sciences' MARE Program (Marine Activites Resources and
Education) is an excellent, highly developed curriculum on marine science
for elementary students.
The
Ocean's in Trouble
Using this site, fourth through sixth grade students can use the Internet
to explore and identify why oceans and beaches are in trouble.
Welcome
to the Coral Reef Project!
This webquest focuses on coral reefs and the environmental factors that
are negatively impacting them.
Bibliography
- Ballard, Robert D. Adventures in Ocean Exploration. National Geographic
Society, 2001.
- Broad, William J and Dimitry Schidlovsky. The Universe Below : Discovering
the Secrets of the Deep Sea. Touchstone Books, 1998.
- Cerullo, Ocean Detectives : Solving the Mysteries of the Sea (Ocean
Explorer Series). Raintree/Steck-Vaughn, 1999.
- Cole, Joanna and Bruce Degen. The Magic School Bus on the Ocean Floor.
Scholastic, 1994.
- Delafosse, Claude and Jeunesse Gallimard, Pierre De Hugo. Under the
Sea (First Discovery Book : Hidden World). Scholastic Trade, 1999.
- Knight, Linsay and Dr. Frank H. Talbot. Under the Sea (Nature Company
Discoveries). Time Life, 1995.
- Kovacs, Deborah. Dive to the Deep Ocean : Voyages of Exploration and
Discovery (Turnstone Ocean Explorer Book). Raintree/Steck Vaughn, 1999.
- Kunzig, Robert. The Restless Sea: Exploring the World Beneath the
Waves. W.W. Norton & Company, 1999.
- Van Dover, Cindy Lee. Deep-Ocean Journeys : Discovering New Life at
the Bottom of the Sea (Helix Book). Perseus Press, 1997.
- White, Nancy and Ted Enik, Joanna Cole. The Magic School Bus Takes
a Dive : A Book About Coral Reefs. Scholastic, 1998.
- Wu, Norbert and Leighton R. Taylor. Creeps from the Deep : Life in
the Deep Sea. Chronicle Books, 1997.
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