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Vents and Volcanoes

Student Investigation:

Life on a Hydrothermal Vent

Grade Level:

9th - 12th grade (Life Science/Chemosynthesis)

Lesson Description:

Despite existing in the depths of the ocean, where sunlight cannot reach, hydrothermal vents are oases of life in the deep. In this investigation, students explore the phenomenon: How can ecosystems survive without sunlight? and develop their understanding of chemosynthetic communities through student-sensemaking.

Lesson Components:

Standards:

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS): 
  • Performance Expectation: HS-LS2-6
  • Disciplinary Core Ideas: LS2.C
Ocean Literacy Essential Principles: 
  • Principle 1: FC b
  • Principle 2: FC a
  • Principle 4: FC b
  • Principle 5: FCs a, b, d, e, f, g
  • Principle 7: FC b

Supplemental Materials:

Fact Sheets

Exploration Notes - stories from the field