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

Ocean Acidification Lab (CACS CoastWatch Curriculum)

Demonstration and lab activities that introduce students to the basic chemistry and impacts of ocean acidification on marine invertebrates.

NGSS PE(s): MS-LS2-4, MS-PS1-2
Grade Band(s): 3-5, HS, MS
Topic(s): Ocean Acidification, Ocean Chemistry
Lesson Type(s): Activity
Download

Ocean Acidification Resources for Alaska Educators

Links to selected curriculum on ocean acidification deemed relevant to understanding potential effects on Alaska’s marine ecosystems and the chemistry of the ocean at higher latitudes.

Link: Visit website

NGSS PE(s): MS-LS2-4,  HS-ESS3-6
Grade Band(s): 3-5, HS, MS
Topic(s): Ocean Acidification, Ocean Chemistry
Lesson Type(s): Activity, Presentation, Video

Ocean Full of Debris (CACS CoastWatch Curriculum)

Fun game to introduce and reinforce different sources of marine debris.

NGSS PE(s): 5-ESS3-1, K-ESS3-3
Grade Band(s): 3-5, MS
Topic(s): Marine Debris, Marine Shipping
Lesson Type(s): Activity
Download

Ocean Impacts

Students plan a research project about a current issue related to human interaction with the ocean, using Internet and library resources. The unit includes a student research project guide and project scoring rubrics for a student poster and the supporting documentation and research narrative.

Link: Visit website

NGSS PE(s):
Grade Band(s): 3-5
Topic(s): Science & Engineering Practices
Lesson Type(s): Activity

Our Changing World unit

A series of five Alaska Seas and Watersheds investigations included in the Climate Literacy and Energy Awareness Network (C.L.E.A.N.) Collection. Students explore different impacts of climate change on arctic sea and the Bering Sea ecosystem and on glacial ice, model changes in landscapes and read a case study about how changes in a glacial watershed affects a salmon population. In the activity Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes, students graph and analyze sea ice extent data, students explore thermal expansion of water as a lab and then observe how a scientist collects long-term data on a bird population. The lessons demonstrates how Arctic sea ice and glaciers are changing and helps students understand how those changes may impact climate, wildlife, and human activities.The sea ice index data can be updated here.

One activity provides guidance for interviewing Alaska Native Elders and other long-term residents on local communities to document local environmental changes and to compare historic photographs of local areas. Alaska Sea Grant.

Link: Visit website

NGSS PE(s): DCI MS-LS2.C1, MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-5
Grade Band(s): MS
Topic(s): Climate Change, Salmon, Sea Ice
Lesson Type(s): Activity, Video

Our Nearby Ecosystem

n this 4-5 day investigation, students prepare for fieldwork and then go into the field to practice and apply science skills. Depending on local opportunities, the field trip may take the form of an ecosystem mapping exercise, a river or stream walk, or a coast walk survey. Students return to the classroom to analyze and share their data after the field trip.

Link: Visit website

NGSS PE(s):
Grade Band(s): 3-5
Topic(s): Science & Engineering Practices
Lesson Type(s): Activity, Field Trip

Outlaw Algae in Alaska Waters

Interactive website with “offiial gang descriptions” involving “rap sheets” and “mug shots” of six species of harmful algae to learn their identifying characteristics and then take an online quiz organized as “the line up” with “witness statements.”

Link: Visit website

NGSS PE(s):
Grade Band(s): HS, MS
Topic(s): HABs
Lesson Type(s): Images & Visualizations, Weblink

Permafrost Change: What It Means to Alaskans and How We Can Adapt

Factsheet on the potential effects of thawing permafrost on Alaska’s permafrost on vegetation, water supplies, transportation, infrastructure, and human health with a discussion of how Alaskans can adapt. Free download from Alaska Sea Grant Bookstore.

Link: Visit website

NGSS PE(s):
Grade Band(s): HS
Topic(s): Climate Change, Coastal Erosion
Lesson Type(s): Article

Plankton Chronicles: Ceratium

2 minute video focused on ceratium as an example of dinoflagellates. Introduces amazing adaptations of this photosynthetic organism.

Link: Visit website

NGSS PE(s): Foundational
Grade Band(s): HS, MS
Topic(s): HABs
Lesson Type(s): Video

Plankton Chronicles: Diatoms

5 minute video that utilizes beautiful microscopy photographs and video clips to explain what diatoms are, their evolutionary history, how they photosynthesize, and their role in marine ecosystems.

Link: Visit website

NGSS PE(s): Foundational
Grade Band(s): HS, MS
Topic(s): HABs
Lesson Type(s): Video