Introduction

Be prepared to take an ocean voyage to learn about the exciting field of Oceanography. On this quest you can find out many exciting and interesting facts about marine life, explore what it takes to become a Marine Biologist or an Oceanographer and learn some basic facts about the ocean itself. 

Task

Your First Step is to visit Treasures@Sea and complete the Oceanography Crossword Puzzle. All the answers can be found by "diving for treasure."

Your Second Step is to complete the Investigation Worksheet. You choose what you want to learn and you decide what is most important. Your group may choose from three options:

Option A: Investigate a career in oceanography or marine biology

Option B: Investigate the marine life - plants, animals, protists, etc.

Option C: Investigate physical features of the ocean - tides, waves, sounds, etc.

Your Third Step is to complete the Food Web Activity. You will find the information you need to complete this by going to Oceanlink and clicking on AquaFacts. Once you get to the AquaFacts, scroll down to find the Food Web site.

Your Fourth Step is to investigate an environmental issue related to the ocean. You may choose from Pollution Solution or Galapagos Oil Spill: A Slippery Situation. You will complete the Environment Worksheet for this activity.

Any time you have left, go to Treasures@Sea and click on the Interactive Activities. My favorite is Rainbow Fish.

Resources

Oceanlink

This site has lots of information on marine organisms, features of the ocean, food webs and career information

Oceanography - and your Career

A good and concise source of career information on oceanography

Oceanography from the Space Shuttle

This site contains some fantastic photos and descriptions of oceanic phenomena - the photos were shot from the space shuttle!

So you want to be a marine biologist?

A great source of career information from the Scripps Institution

Careers in Oceanography

Tons of useful information geared to the middle and high school student to begin planning right now for his or her career in oceanography

Get Your Feet Wet

If you are really interested in a career as a marine biologist there are some experiences you should participate in now to help prepare you - check out this site!

Treasures@Sea  

This is a fun, but informative investigation of oceanography - it includes some writing activities, art activities, interactive lessons and a great treasure hunt that will test your knowledge of oceanography

Process

1. Get the crossword puzzle from your teacher - one per student - put your name at the top and complete this activity.

2. Turn in your completed crossword puzzle and pick up an Investigation Worksheet - one per student - complete this activity.

3. Turn in your completed Investigation Worksheet and pick up the Food Web handout - one per student - complete this activity.

4. Turn in your completed Food Web handout and pick up the Environment Worksheet - one per student - complete this activity.

5. Turn in your completed Environment Worksheet and you may play the Interactive Puzzles.

Teacher Tips

Directions 

To Pollution Solution: OceanLink » Ocean News » Newsletter » Click here for details on... » Issue 4: Marine Pollution » Click here to check them out. Start at Pollution Sources and read all the way through to Rise of the Red Tide.

To Galapagos: OceanLink » Ocean Matters » The Galapagos Oil Spill: A Slippery Situation.

Evaluation

Conclusion

So, now you've gotten your feet wet and have learned a lot about the ocean. While we are land lubbers there is no denying that life in the ocean affects life on land and vice versa.