Elementary resources: Physical science

An ocean of energy

4th - 6th grade • Teacher guide • Links to standards
Students learn about energy pyramids as a way to understand the energetic relationships among producers, consumers, and decomposers in an ocean ecosystem.

Ducks in the flowoffsite link

3rd - 5th grade • Teacher guide • Links to standards
Students use scientific inquiry and data gathering skills to learn about force, motion, and ocean currents using the true story of toys that fell off a ship during a storm and drifted to various places.

Exploring changes in ocean chemistry

4th - 5th grade • Uses data • Links to standards
Students test different water samples, analyze their results, and share their ideas about how to improve the experimental design.

Help Nemo find his home!offsite link

3rd - 8th grade • Teacher guide • Links to standards
Students learn about how ocean acidification affects the olfactory senses of clownfish.

Marine osteoporosisoffsite link

3rd - 8th grade • Teacher guide • Links to standards
Students will explore and test how ocean acidification affects different organisms, including humans. Students investigate causes of increased ocean acidity and discuss ways to minimize the impact.

Marine snow

4th - 6th grade • Teacher guide • Links to standards
Students learn how “marine snow,” a shower of organic material falling into the deep ocean, forms, how it is distributed, and the role it plays in the marine ecosystem.