Oceans - a cause for concern

a Problem-Based Learning Project about the Oceans

The Problem:

The banner headline of your town's paper seems impossible. The oceans of the world are dying. Oceanographers and seashore residents are saying that everyone must act if the loss is to be stopped. But your state does not have an ocean port or a sandy beach. You do not even remember seeing a seagull around town.

How can the people of your community be contributing to the problem? What can they do about it locally?

Which local action do you think would be best?

Step 1 -

Each member of the group identifies what they know about oceans.

Step 2 -

Identify what you need to learn about oceans and what is endangering them.
Be specific. Make a list.
Assign the group member who is to find the answers/info.
Everyone will be researching.

Learn how to research elementary | middle school & high school

Step 3 -

As a group - Discuss your findings on why the oceans are in trouble.
Decide on an action, that can taken in your town, to help save the oceans.
List the reasons for its selection.

Step 4 -

Create a project/report to explain your choice and support its selection.

Highlight the pros and cons of your choice of action. How will it help the ocean?
How will it be a challenge in your community to do it?

Extracrustacian

Create a plan of action for your community. How can you motivate people to cooperate?

List the steps involved in implementing the plan.

 
Online Resources: I have collected a set of valuable web sites for doing research. I suggest you use them to get you started. You may also use print resources and video based info. If you use a resource not listed here, document it in your cited works (bibliography) at the end of your report. If a link is broken, use your online research skills to find the site/page. Copy the title of the source. Paste it in a web search engine. Search.

red and blue fish bullet Oceans in peril - Smithsonian exhibit - http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/HTML/peril_buoys.html

red and blue fish bullet Where Land and Sea Intertwine - Virtual Field Trip

red and blue fish bullet Biological Invasion: The Introduction of Non-Native Species

red and blue fish bullet NOAA Learning Objects - many multimedia based lessons

red and blue fish bullet Deep Freeze and Sea Breeze: Changing Land and Weather in Florida

red and blue fish bullet WWF - Conservation of the Marine environment - http://www.panda.org/about_wwf/what_we_do/marine/index.cfm

red and blue fish bullet Sea Change Videos at PBS NOW

red and blue fish bullet Oceans: Threats to Human Health

red and blue fish bullet Issues: Oceans

red and blue fish bullet Habitats and Ecosystems - Franklin Institute

red and blue fish bullet Ocean Rescue - WWF

red and blue fish bullet Ocean Life Study unit

red and blue fish bullet U.S. Ocean Action Plan discussion and funding

red and blue fish bullet Starving Turtles

red and blue fish bullet Tell me where it hurts Ocean and beach pollution

red and blue fish bullet Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission

red and blue fish bullet Ocean.us - Integrated Ocean Observing System

red and blue fish bullet Global Marine Initiative

red and blue fish bullet Secrets of the Ocean Realm

red and blue fish bullet Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution - http://www.whoi.edu/

red and blue fish bullet MMS Ocean Energy Explorers!

red and blue fish bullet Wide Angle - Gutted - documentary film on ocean issues

red and blue fish bullet Beachgoers Water Quality Map

red and blue fish bullet Nature Works - Marine Communities

red and blue fish bullet Endangered Oceans Essays and Articles at eNotes

red and blue fish bullet Dr. C's Remarkable Ocean World

red and blue fish bullet State of the Ocean

red and blue fish bullet Ocean Biome

red and blue fish bullet Coral Reefs and Chemistry

red and blue fish bullet Coral Reefs - Exploring the Environment

red and blue fish bullet Zam's Quest - 8 units based on environmental issues

red and blue fish bullet National Library for the Environment

red and blue fish bullet Chesapeake Bay Program

red and blue fish bullet Earth & Sky Channel - Oceans

red and blue fish bullet Persuasive Speaking | Only action produces change

Main problem page

What you know

What you do not know

Worksheet example

Project examples

Problem-based learning
Harness the Student Process Guides to prepare your students to be more successful problem solvers and group participants.
Check out my activity to harness this resource.

Rubric Template at Bernie Dodge site | "Behold the turtle for he does not move forward without sticking out his neck." PBL site

All trademarks, copyright and logos belong to their respective owners.

This project is released to public domain in honor of Jacques Yves Cousteau who inspired me to care about the oceans.

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FAQ Posted 8/2005 by Cynthia J. O'Hora utd 1/2008

Aligned with Pennsylvania Academic Standards Explain how human activities may affect local, regional, and global environments.