Course title

MarSci

Pre-requisite

N/A

Course description

Marine Science offers a unique and compelling way to learn about the ocean. Course curriculum is designed to give students authentic thought provoking experiences with ocean science content. Students will interpret simple to use satellite Earth imagery; engage in hands-on laboratory activities; analyze authentic case studies of real-problems; follow the paths of seabirds; marine mammals; and more. Instead of being supplementary to the text; student’s hands-on and minds on experiences come first. Active student participation will promote learning that endures; because ocean literacy is of the upmost importance to global citizenship.

Texts and Materials: Marine Science: The Dynamic Ocean
Essentials of Oceanography

Essential questions for the course include:
How do biotic and abiotic factors affect one another in the ocean?
Why is the ocean critical to life on Earth?
How does the ocean change over time?
How can we conserve ocean resources?
How do scientists study the ocean?

Seven Essential Principle are to be covered in Marine Science.
The Earth has one big ocean with many features.
The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the Earth
The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.
The ocean makes life on Earth habitable.
The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems
The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
The ocean is largely unexplored.

Course Scope and Sequence:
Marine Science is broken into three distinct phases.
Phase 1: Understanding the Ocean and Its Process
Ocean composition; physical features; biological features; importance of phytoplankton; scientific tools and data sets used in oceanography; ocean impact on humans.

Phase 2: Research and Analysis – Interpreting Earth Data and Animal
Movements

Phase 3: Understanding Human Impacts on the Ocean
Human land activities; human activities at sea; protection of ocean resources

Methodology:
Students will engage in a variety of individual and group laboratories; research earth data (physical; geochemical; and animal movements); and present laboratory data and conclusions individually or in group presentations. Lessons and Laboratories are designed to challenge students to learn; apply; demonstrate; engage and defend their knowledge and proficiency of the material.

School country

United States

School state

Arizona

School city

Gilbert

High school

Leading Edge Academy - Gilbert Early College

School / district Address

717 West Ray Road

School zip code

85233

Requested competency code

Lab Science

Date submitted

Approved

Yes

Approved competency code

  • LGEO
  • Geology

Approved date

Online / Virtual

No