Classroom lessons and learning tools relevant to the expedition are listed below by grade level. Although some of these resources may have been developed for past expeditions conducted in other regions of the world ocean, the Focus Questions and Student Learning Objectives are applicable to the current expedition.
Grade Level: 5-6
Focus: Deep-sea coral reefs (Life Science)
Students compare and contrast deep-sea coral reefs with their shallow-water counterparts; describe three types of coral associated with deep-sea coral reefs; explain three benefits associated with deep-sea coral reefs; and explain why many scientists are concerned about the future of deep-sea coral reefs.
Grade Level: 5-6
Focus: Structural complexity in coral reef communities (Life Science/Mathematics)
Students describe the importance of structural features that increase surface area in coral reef habitats; quantify the relative impact of various structural modifications on surface area in model habitats; and give examples of organisms that increase the structural complexity of their communities.
Grade Level: 9-12
Focus: Deep-sea currents (Earth Science)
Students describe, compare, and contrast major forces that drive ocean currents; discuss the general effects of topography on current velocity; discuss how velocity affects the ability of a current to transport sand; explain why deep-sea precious corals are more frequently found in areas having strong currents.
Grade Level: 7-8
Focus: Deep-sea currents (Earth Science))
Students recognize and identify some of the fauna groups found in deep-sea coral reef communities; infer possible reasons for observed distribution of groups of animals in deep-sea coral reef communities; discuss the meaning of “biological diversity;” and compare and contrast the concepts of “variety” and “relative abundance” as they relate to biological diversity. Given abundance and distribution data of species, students calculate an appropriate numeric indicator that describes the biological diversity of a community.
