Marine Life Box

Lesson Plan: Ocean Life, Little and Large

Learning Objectives: After this lesson, students should be able to:

•  Understand the complexity of ecosystem dynamics.
• Have a working understanding of climate change, its impacts on ecosystems and consequences to humans.
• Discuss sustainable practices mitigate the effects of climate change on the ocean.

Curriculum Links

• Grade 2: Water is essential to all living things, and it cycles through the environment.
• Grade 3: Living things are diverse, can be grouped, and interact in their ecosystems.
• Grade 5: First Peoples concepts of interconnectedness in the environment; the nature of sustainable practices around BC’s resources; First Peoples knowledge of sustainable practices.
• Grade 7: Earth and its climate have changed over geological time.
• Grade 9: The biosphere, geosphere, hydrosphere, and atmosphere are interconnected, as matter cycles and energy flows through them; sustainability of systems; First Peoples knowledge of interconnectedness and sustainability.
• Grade 10: Acid-base chemistry.
• Chemistry 11: Organic chemistry and its applications have significant implications for human health, society, and the environment.
• Earth Sciences 11: The transfer of energy through the atmosphere creates weather, and this transfer is affected by climate change; the distribution of water has a major influence on weather and climate.
• Environmental Science 11: The distribution of water has a major influence on weather and climate; Complex roles and relationships contribute to diversity of ecosystems; Humans can play a role in stewardship and restoration of ecosystems.
• Science for Citizens 11: Scientific understanding enables humans to respond and adapt to changes locally and globally; Scientific processes and knowledge inform our decisions and impact our daily lives; evidence-based decision making through science.
• Geology 12:  The plate tectonic theory explains the changes that occur within Earth and to Earth’s crust throughout geological time.
• Chemistry 12: Acid or base strength depends on the degree of ion dissociation.
• Environmental Science 12: Human activities cause changes in the global climate system; Living sustainably supports the well-being of self, community, and Earth; Human actions affect the quality of water and its ability to sustain life; Sustainable land use is essential to meet the needs of a growing

Educators Manual

• Each box comes with a comprehensive Educator Manual to provide you with all the information you need to confidently share and explore the Marine Life Beaty Box with your group.
• Manual includes:
  • Beaty Box Basics
    • Information on the specimens in the box - where they come from, how they are prepared, and information on how to handle them safely
    • Information about the Beaty Biodiversity Museum
    • Click here to download Beaty Box Basics
  • Customized Lesson Plan and Specimen Information
    • A lesson plan and list of relevant "Big Ideas" and "Core Concepts" outlined in the BC Curriculum
    • Flashcards for each specimen with images and background information
    • Suggestions and links to additional activities
    • A USB key with a digital copy of the manual plus extra images and activities you can print off or download
    • Click here to download the Marine Life Box Lesson Plan and Specimen Information