Educator Resource Database
Developed by partners in the Alaska CoastWatch for Action Project
Marine and coastal K-12 educators collaborated to create this database. It is designed to help teachers and informal community educators engage youth in community resiliency, climate change adaptation, and mitigation of coastal hazards.
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- Next Generation Science Standards—NGSS alignments are available for most lesson plans and activities
- Grade level
- Topic—coastal hazard types and other topics
- Resource type—lesson plan, citizen science data collection protocol/data sheet, poster
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Partners and funding
Sampling for the ‘e’ Organism Practic for Beach Sampling (CACS Coastwatch Curriculum)
Lesson plan for introducing and practicing methods used in beach sampling/monitoring activities. Could be used for terrestrial ecosystems as well.
NGSS PE(s):
Grade Band(s): 3-5, HS, MS
Topic(s): Marine Invertebrates
Lesson Type(s): Activity
Download
Sea Ice Secure
Episode of the film series Tied to the Land: Voices From Northwest Alaska filmed and edited by Sarah Betcher, 2015. This video showcases ways in which local people are seeking adaptive ways to go about their subsistence way of life in the wake of rapid change in sea ice conditions.
Link: Visit websiteNGSS PE(s): HS=ESS3-4, MS-ESS3-3
Grade Band(s): HS, MS
Topic(s): Adaptations to Increase Food Security, Climate Change, Marine Mammals, Sea Ice
Lesson Type(s): Video
Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge: What It Means to Alaskans and How We Can Adapt
Factsheet on the potential effects of a warmer global climate that is causing glaciers and ice sheets to melt, which sends more water into the sea, and thermal expansion of the ocean, with the resul of a sea level that is slowly rising. Alaskans Potential adaptation strategies are also discussed. Free download from the Alaska Sea Grant bookstore.
Link: Visit websiteNGSS PE(s):
Grade Band(s): HS
Topic(s): Climate Change, Storm Surge
Lesson Type(s): Article, Teacher Background
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SEATOR: Safe Shellfish
This film, produced by SEATOR walks students through how toxins that cause Paralytic Shellfish Poisoning get into your food and how the Sitka Tribe of Alaska has created a program to monitor HABs and toxins throughout Southeast Alaska. The film shows how to properly take care of shellfish you’d like to get tested, and how to deliver those shellfish to the Sitka Tribe of Alaska’s Environmental Research Lab.
Link: Visit websiteNGSS PE(s): Foundational
Grade Band(s): HS, MS
Topic(s): Adaptations to Increase Food Security, Coastal Hazards, HABs
Lesson Type(s): Video
Ship Traffic in the Bering Strait
The Pew Charitable Trust studies increased shipping hazards in the Bering Strait region due to climate change. This website highlights article and new resources about this topic.
Link: Visit websiteNGSS PE(s):
Grade Band(s): 3-5, HS, K-2, MS
Topic(s): Marine Shipping
Lesson Type(s): Teacher Background
State Works with Communities on Coastal Erosion Response
2017 newspaper article describes community-based efforts and methods for monitoring coastal erosion in Bristol Bay
Link: Visit websiteNGSS PE(s): HS-ESS3-4
Grade Band(s): HS, MS
Topic(s): Coastal Erosion
Lesson Type(s): Article
Stations – Effects of Marine Debris on Ecosystems
A series of 6 engaging station activities that introduce students to the ecosystem impacts of marine debris through hands-on demonstrations, games, and art activities. Each of the stations is designed to be set up by the teacher and then explored independently by student groups, but teachers could also facilitate each activity in turn. Any one of the six activities can be built upon to serve as a stand-alone lesson plan.
NGSS PE(s):
Grade Band(s): 3-5, MS
Topic(s): Marine Debris, Marine Fishes, Marine Invertebrates, Marine Mammals, Seabirds
Lesson Type(s): Activity
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Stream to Plate: Fish to Schools Classroom Lesson Plans
Students learn about salmon life cycle and food webs, the importance of salmon in local economies, environmental benefits of eating local foods, different gear for harvesting salmon, food preparations, and play the Fishing for the Future game to understand the importance of regulating harvests. The unit concludes with a cooking lesson. Sitka Conservation Society.
NGSS PE(s):
Grade Band(s): 3-5
Topic(s): Adaptations to Increase Food Security, Marine Fishes, Salmon
Lesson Type(s): Activity
Download
Tsunami Simulation
Video introduction and exploratory lab activities in which students learn about and model the different factors that can trigger a tsunami.
NGSS PE(s): 4-ESS3-2, 5-ESS2-1
Grade Band(s): 3-5, HS, MS
Topic(s): Geology
Lesson Type(s): Activity
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