The Ocean

Photo Credit: Suchana Chavanich/Marine Photobank

The ocean covers nearly three quarters of our planet's surface, provides 70 percent of the oxygen in the atmosphere and houses about 20 percent of the known species on Earth. It regulates climate and weather and provides food and energy resources for humans worldwide. Water in every stream or river on the planet eventually ends up in the ocean, and all life on Earth is dependent upon its health. More than half of all Americans live within 50 miles of the coast, but whether near or far our lives are inextricably linked to the ocean.

EE Week provides resources and standards-based lesson plans on a variety of ocean-related topics to help students and educators nationwide learn about the ways they are connected to the ocean. 

• Ocean Resources This list of websites, articles, video collections, online games and other tools provides educators with background information and teaching tools about a wide range of ocean topics.
• Ocean Curricula We are dependent upon the ocean for a wide range of resources -- from food and energy production to recreation, artistic inspiration and regulation of climate and weather. Because of this, the ocean provides an opportunity for interdisciplinary exploration and discovery. We have compiled a list of free ocean-related lesson plans and activities that are aligned with content standards for a variety of subjects and organized by grade level. 

Looking for resources and lesson plans about oil spills? Click here

Know of an additional ocean resource you'd like to share with us? Let us know about it by emailing eeweek@neefusa.org.