Kelp Forest Teacher Resources
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Curriculum
Activity
California Standards
National Standards
What are the components of an ecosystem? Students assume the roles of different scientists while collecting data at an outdoor field site or aquarium.
- Grade 6: 1e, f; 2a, d; 4a; 5a, b, d; 7b, g, h
- Grade 7: 4a, c, f; 5a; 7a, c, d
- Grade 8: 2b; 8c, d
- Grades 9-12: Chemistry 2a, 4d, 5a, 5d; 7d, Biology 6b, 6d, Earth Sciences 5d, 5g, 6b, 8b, 9a, 9c, Investigation and Experimentation 1a-n
- 5-8: Science as Inquiry, Physical Science, History and Nature of Science
- 9-12: Science as Inquiry, Physical Science, Life Science
How do different fish survive in their habitats? Students use a fish body part key to "decode" a fish and infer behavior and habitat.
- Grade 3: 3a, b, c, d; 5b, e
- Grade 4: 2b; 3a, b; 6a, f
- Grade 5: 2a, b; 6a, g, h
- K-4: Science as Inquiry, Life Science
- 5-8: Life Science
What is seaweed? Why is it in ice cream? Students find out by exploring the characteristics of seaweed. They then make seaweed extract and use it to create ice cream.
- Grade 3: 1e, f, g; 3a; 5a, c, e, f
- Grade 4: 2a; 3a; 6b, f
- Grade 5: 1g; 2f; 6a, d, f, g, i
- K-4: Physical Science
- 5-8: Physical Science
What rhymes with sea star? Students make observations of ocean animals and habitats in Aquarium exhibits, on web
cams or in other nonfiction resources. The students then use their findings to write and illustrate poems.
- Grade K: 2a, b, c; 4a, b, e
- Grade 1: 2a, b, c, d; 4a, b
- Grade 2: 2a, b, c, d; 4d
- Grade 3: 3a, b, c, d; 5b
- Grade 4: 2b; 3a, b; 6a
- Grade 5: 2a, b, c, d; 6a
- PreK: Head Start Framework
- K-4: Science as Inquiry, Life Science
- 5-8: Science as Inquiry, Life Science
Students order seafood from a mock menu and use a scoresheet based on the Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program to gauge the sustainability of their selection.
- Grades 9-12: Biology/Life Sciences 6a, b, c, d; 8b; Earth Sciences 5d; Investigation & Experimentation 1c, d, g,
l, m
- 9-12: Science as Inquiry, Life Science, Science and Technology, Science in Personal and Social Perspectives, History and Nature of Science
What makes a shark a shark? What adaptations help them survive in their habitats? Students explore shark
anatomy by taking part in a debate justifying the importance of specific shark adaptations and physical
characteristics.
- Grade 3: 3a, b, c, d; 5a, b
- Grade 4: 3b, 4b, 6a
- Grade 5: 2b, c, d; 6a
- K-4: Life Science
- 5-8: Life Science
See what's going on in the Aquarium's exhibits without leaving your
classroom! Our web cams are live daily from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pacific
time.
Learn more
Watch videos about our animals, exhibits and conservation research
programs or discover more about the ocean through our ocean science
podcast.
Learn more
Dive into our games and interactives to have fun and learn about ocean animals and the places they call home.
Learn more
Resource Links
On Our Web Site
Sea Searchers Handbook: Kelp Forest Chapter (PDF Format)
Get great information about the kelp forest habitat and the animals that live there as well as fun kelp forest activities to do as a family or in the classroom.
You'll find more educational resources in our Classroom Resources section.
External Links
AlgaeBase
A database of information on terrestrial, marine and freshwater algae. Includes photos, search function and lots of great information.
Algae Information (Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History)
Information about their algae collection, abstracts from publications and instructions for collecting and preserving algae.
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) Marine Botany
Descriptions and photos of current research projects involving coastal ocean habitats, seaweeds and algae.
MBARI scientists, engineers and staff collaborate on a range of marine research projects. The projects span the interdisciplinary fields of ocean science, including marine biology, ecology, chemistry and geology.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary: Kelp Forest and Rocky Subtidal
A comprehensive description of an important habitat in the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.
Partnership for the Interdisciplinary Studies of Coastal Oceans (PISCO)
PISCO is a long-term, large-scale research program aimed at more fully understanding the nearshore environments on the U.S. West Coast.
Phycological Society of America
This site links to many algae-related scientific publications and has information on opportunities to study algae.
Sanctuary Integrated Monitoring Network (SIMoN) Kelp Forest Overview
SIMoN is a long-term program that takes an ecosystem approach to identifying and understanding changes to the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. Their kelp forest pages include information about the kelp forest habitat in Monterey Bay and ongoing kelp forest monitoring projects.
Seaweed Site (National University of Ireland)
This site contains information on all aspects of seaweeds and marine algal biology.
Virtual Kelp Forest Dive (National Geographic)
Venture above and below the waters of the Monterey Bay Sanctuary in this interactive feature, a companion to the Sustainable Seas Expeditions site.
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