About This Lesson
Subjects
- Science
- Marine Science
- Technology
Time
- 45-60 minutes
Skills
- Teamwork
- Creativity
- Arts and Crafts
- Problem-solving
- Critical-Thinking
Learning Objective/Goal:
- Students will design and create a device using craft supplies to address a specific marine conservation challenge.
- Students will present their inventions to the class, explaining the problem they addressed and how their device works.
Materials Needed:
- Various craft supplies (cardboard, tape, glue, scissors, markers, etc.)
- Informational resources about marine biology and conservation
- Rubric for assessing presentations (below)
Activity:
1. Introduction (15 minutes):
- Begin by discussing the importance of marine biology and conservation.
- Introduce the concept of "Oceanic Innovations" and explain that students will be participating in a Shark Tank-style activity where they will design inventions to address marine conservation challenges.
- Show past designs or innovations people have made to address this problem
2. Design and Prototyping (30 minutes):
- Using the craft supplies provided, have students brainstorm and design a device or solution to address the problem they identified.
- Encourage creativity and innovation in their designs.
- Allow time for students to build prototypes of their inventions and prepare to present them.
3. Shark Tank Presentations (variable time depending on class size):
- Invite students to present their inventions to the class in a "Shark Tank" style format.
- Each group will have a few minutes to pitch their invention and answer questions from their classmates.
- Score students based on the rubric (listed below)
Potential problems/prompts for students
- Plastic Pollution: Designing a device to collect plastic waste from beaches or waterways,
- Coral Reef Protection: Creating a structure or material that helps protect coral reefs
- Overfishing: Designing a tool or method to monitor and prevent overfishing
- Oil Spill Cleanup: Inventing a device to efficiently clean up oil spills or help wildlife affected
- Ocean Acidification Mitigation: Creating a method to reduce the acidity of seawater or protect marine organisms
- Beach Erosion Prevention: Inventing a structure or method to prevent beach erosion
- Note: designs and inventions do not have to work or be designed neatly, the goal is to get students to be creative and think of ways to solve real-world problems
Extra
Tips for Students:
- Plan Your Design: Sketch your ideas before building.
- Collaborate Effectively: Work closely with your group to share ideas
- Innovate and Problem-Solve: Be creative while building your prototype
Tips for Teachers:
- Encourage Curiosity: Ask guiding questions and foster inquiry.
- Monitor Progress: Check in with groups and offer support.
- Promote Teamwork: Ensure active participation from all students.
- Guide Presentations: Help students organize and practice their presentations.
Extension Activities:
- Experimentation: Test inventions in simulated environments
- Long-Term Projects: Develop inventions for science fairs or competitions.
- Comparative Analysis: Compare student designs with existing solutions.
- References & Further Research https://www.nationalgeographic.com/environment/article/ocean-threats#:~….
- https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/oceans/issues/
