Planet and Ocean Discovery Series
PODS
The Planet and Ocean Discovery Series (PODS) have been developed as a completely virtual, downloadable, environmentally based learning series in an effort to reach a broader audience bringing Marine Science into your classroom. Each POD provides the information and tools necessary to deliver a complete educational unit and can be used as a single lesson or collectively with the supplemental material to enhance curriculum. These interdisciplinary lessons are suitable for all learning levels and are aligned with Next Generation Science Standards and Ocean Literacy Principles
Each POD contains:
- Overview of key topics – cross cutting ideas
- Learning Outcomes
- Fact sheets on select species/phenomena
- Downloadable activities
- 2-5 minute videos highlighting specific topics
This comprehensive digital resource is available for FREE!
Each PODS will dive deep into specialized subject matter important to and related to the health of our ocean and planet. Students will learn how our rivers and streams feed into the ocean, how wetlands and estuaries clean and filter water, the ocean’s role in our climate and how mangrove swamps might just be our biggest warrior in climate change!
Choose your PODS!
Coastal Habitats: where land and ocean meet
These regions provide habitat for a variety of unique and often endangered species while providing humans with a multitude of ecosystems services. In the Coastal Habitat POD we highlight three unique coastal habitat ecosystems: Wetlands, Mangroves and Coral Reefs. Each of these contain information, activities, lesson plans, NGSS alignment, activities and multimedia on the following topics: Habitat and Adaptations, Environmental Importance, The Changing Climate and Shipping/Navigation. Emphasizing these four topics provides a fundamental background on each coastal habitat in the context of real-world application.
Open Ocean: COMING SOON
The open ocean ecosystems provide habitat for a variety of unique and often endangered species while providing humans with a multitude of ecosystems services. In the Open Ocean POD we highlight three unique open ocean ecosystems. Each of these contain information, activities, lesson plans, NGSS alignment, activities and multimedia on the following topics: Habitat and Adaptations, Environmental Importance, The Changing Climate and Shipping/Navigation. Emphasizing these four topics provides a fundamental background on each open ocean environment in the context of real-world application.
Inland Waterways: COMING SOON
The inland waterways provide habitat for a variety of unique and often endangered species while providing humans with a multitude of ecosystems services. In the Inland Waterways POD we highlight three unique open ocean ecosystems. Each of these contain information, activities, lesson plans, NGSS alignment, activities and multimedia on the following topics: Habitat and Adaptations, Environmental Importance, The Changing Climate and Shipping/Navigation. Emphasizing these four topics provides a fundamental background on each inland waterway ecosystem in the context of real-world application.