Semester 1: Unit 1
Marine Science & Aquarium Curriculum Specifics
Secondary Science Curriculum Revisions
March 2011-June 2011
Marine Science
3 Days
Click here for all Resources Specific to the Marince Science Curriculum:
RED INDICATES HONORS EXTENSIONS ONLY
Enduring Understanding: Marine science is multi-discipline branch of Earth Science that studies
the oceans of the world and the processes within it including biology, chemistry, geology,
meteorology, and physics as well as geography.
Essential Questions
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SC.912.N.1.1:
What is Marine Science ?(1 Define a problem based on specific body of knowledge for example
day)
biology, chemistry, physics and earth/science and do the following:
pose questions about the natural world, conduct systematic
What are the four main
observations, examine books and other sources of information to see
branches of
Oceanography?(1 day)
what is already known, review what is known in light of empirical
What are some careers in evidence, plan investigations, use tools to gather, analyze and
interpret data, pose answers, explanations or description of events,
the field of Marine
generated explanation that explicate or describe natural phenomena,
Science?(1 day)
use appropriate evidence and reasoning to justify these explanations
to others, communicate results of scientific investigations and
evaluate the merits of the explanations produce by others.
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Compare and contrast Marine Science to other fields of Science
SC.912.N.1.2:
Describe and explain what characterized science and it methods.
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Discuss careers that are available in the various branches of Marine
Science and the duties and responsibilities of each
Honors Extension:
Research and compare career and educational opportunities in
various branches of Marine Science
Aquarium
10 Days
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Enduring Understanding: Establishing and maintaining a marine aquarium acts as a model of a
natural aquatic system. There are basic elements needed to create a functioning aquarium and
effective methods to maintaining the aquarium.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.2:
Explain the general distribution of life in aquatic systems as a function
of chemistry, geography, light, depth, salinity and temperature.
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Identify and explain the  Setup a marine aquarium using the necessary major components:
major components in setting Aquarium, Gravel, Filtration, Biological, Mechanical, Chemical
up a marine aquarium ?  Know to introduce organisms once nitrite levels decrease
(2 days)
 Use a hydrometer for mixing and checking the correct specific gravity
of saltwater for the tank. (1.020-1.023 s.g.)
How is specific gravity
 Maintain correct pH range for salt water aquarium (7.5-8.4)
accurately measured in a
 Identify the most effective method for maintaining water quality in a
marine aquarium?
saltwater aquarium: (Freshwater addition to replace evaporated
(1 day)
water, 25% partial water changes, Use of activated carbon, General
What is the correct pH range
cleaning of tank and filter to remove algae and waste)
to maintain a healthy salt
water aquairum? (1 day)
What is the most effective Honors Extension:
method for maintaining
water quality in the salt
water aquarium?
Setup a practical lab to diagnose and treat tanks that have varying
(1 day)
levels of salinity, ph, Nitrate and mechanical issues with filters.
Enduring Understanding: As in a natural aquatic system, a healthy aquarium requires biological,
physical and chemical cycles to occur.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.10:
Diagram and explain the biogeochemical cycles of an ecosystem,
including water, carbon and nitrogen cycle.
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What substances can be  Identify toxic substances that accumulate in a saltwater aquariums
toxic if allowed to
and use different types of test kits to measure levels in the aquarium:
accumulate in an aquarium? (Ammonia-most toxic, Nitrite, Nitrate)
(2 days)
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What are some types of
bacteria found in the
substrate of aquariums?
(1 day)
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Honors Extension:
Explain the functions of Nitrosomonas and Nitrobacter bacteria
Why is the nitrogen cycle
important to establishing an found in the substrate of a saltwater aquarium by converting NH3+ to
aquarium?
NO2- and then NO3
(2 days)
Unit 2
Marine History & Technology Curriculum Specifics
Secondary Science Curriculum Revisions
March 2011-June 2011
History & Technology
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10 Days
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RED INDICATES HONORS EXTENSIONS ONLY
Enduring Understanding: ~Throughout history developments in the biological, physical, chemical
and geographical fields of science have lead to a greater knowledge and exploration of the oceans.
Essential Questions
SC.912.N.4.1:
Explain how scientific knowledge and reasoning provide an empirically
What are 3 primary reasons
based perspective to inform society’s decision making
why early civilizations
 Identify the three primary reasons for early civilizations to interact
interacted with the
with the oceans: (Food, Trade, Discovery)
ocean?(.5 days)
SC.912.N.1.7:
Recognize the role of creativity in constructing scientific questions,
What contributions did
methods and explanations
some of the ancient
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civilizations make?(2 days) Explain the contributions of the following ancient civilizations:
Phoenicians - Mediterranean trade routes, Polynesians - primitive
During the Middle Ages
mapping and long distance open ocean seafaring, Greeks: Pytheas what were some important latitude via North Star, Eratosthenes - earth circumference
contributions?(1 day)  Explain the contributions of the following civilizations during the
Why was the chronometer Middle Ages: Chinese - compass, Vikings- Leif Eriksson landed in North
an important invention to America, Portuguese- Christopher Columbus
SC.912.N.3.1:
oceanography?(.5 days)
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Explain that a scientific theory is the culmination of many scientific
investigations drawing together all the current evidence concerning a
substantial range of phenomena thus a scientific theory represents
that most powerful explanation scientists have to offer.
How was James Cook  Identify the scientific contributions to oceanography by: James Cook included scientific studies on voyages, John Harrison - Chronometer,
different from other
Charles Darwin - Theory of coral reef development, H.M.S. Challenger
explorers?(.5 days)
What types of information expedition - first marine science expedition
Honors Extension:
was collected during the
Explain how Charles Darwin's Voyage aboard the HMS Beagle shaped
H.M.S. Challenger
his thinking about the Theory of Evolution.
Expedition?(.5 days)
Enduring Understanding: Scientific thinking is a cycle. As technology advances, scientific learning
increases which leads to even better technology and so on.
Essential Questions
SC.912.N.2.4:
Explain that scientific knowledge is both durable and robust and open
Identify the the significance
to change. Scientific knowledge can change because it is often
accomplishments of the
examined and reexamined by new investigations and scientific
major submersible vehicles
argumentations. Because of these frequent examinations, scientific
that have been used to
knowledge becomes stronger, leading to its durability.
study the oceans?(2 days)
 Identify some of the major submersible vehicles used to study the
What are the characteristics
oceans and their accomplishments: Trieste - Challenger Deep, Alvin of various types of
hydrothermal vents and Titanic, Johnson Sealink - panoramic view
exploration equipment
 Describe the use of ROV, AUV, electronic navigation, and satellites in
including: ROVs, AUVs,
ocean research: ROV, AUV, Loran-C, GPS, Satellites, SCUBA, Aquarius
Loran-C, GPS, Satellites?(2.5
Reef Base
days)
Honors Extension:
 Create a scale model of a submersible or ROV
 Investigate research and exploration Institutes like Harbor Branch,
Woods Hole, & Scripps.
Bolded items may not be found in textbook but have been included
in resources PowerPoint.
Who is credited with the
Theory of Coral Reef
Formation?(.5 days)
Last Modified: Aug 01, 2011
Unit 3
Marine Chemistry Curriculum Specifics
Secondary Science Curriculum Revisions
March 2011-June 2011
Marine Chemistry
?? Days
Click here for all Resources Specific to the Marine Chemistry Curriculum:
RED INDICATES HONORS EXTENSIONS ONLY
Enduring Understanding:
Without the unique properties of water life on earth would not exist
Essential Questions
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What factors affect the density of water
(2 days)
How is the density of water important to
life on Earth (.5 days)
Why is the cohesive property of water
important to life on Earth (.5 days)
Why does water expand when frozen (.5
days)
Why is water considered the “universal
solvent” (1 day)
SC.912.L.18.12:
Discuss the special properties of water that
contribute to earth’s suitability s an
environmental for life; cohesive behavior, ability
to moderate temperatures, expansion upon
freezing, and versatility as a solvent.
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Students will understand how salinity
and temperature affect the density of
water
Students will identify examples of
water’s properties that sustain life
Students will be able to determine why
ice floats
Students will understand polarity of
water and hydrogen bonding capacity
Students will understand how water
affects other substances
Enduring Understanding:
The scientific theory of the evolution of Earth states that changes in our planet are driven by the
flow of energy and the cycling of matter through dynamic interactions among the atmosphere,
hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere.
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How does water move through the
biosphere? ( 1 day)
SC.912.E.7.1:
Analyze the movement of matter and energy
through the different biogeographical cycles,
including water and carbon.
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Students will be able to explain how
water cycles through the biosphere
Enduring Understanding:
The unique properties of water affect our climate
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How does water affect our climate?
SC.912.E.7.4:
Summarize the conditions that contribute to the
climate of geographical area, including the
relationships to lakes and oceans.
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Students will be able to explain how
hydrogen bonding accounts for water’s
high specific heat and high heat of
vaporization
Last Modified: Aug 18, 2011
Unit 4
Marine Physics Curriculum Specifics
Secondary Science Curriculum Revisions
March 2011-June 2011
Marine Physics
14 Days
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RED INDICATES HONORS EXTENSIONS ONLY
Enduring Understanding: Waves are the propagation of a disturbance. They transport energy and
momentum but do not transport matter.
Essential Questions
SC.912.P.10.20:
 What are the parts of a
Describe the measureable properties of waves and explain the
wave and where would you relationships among them and how these properties change when the
find them? (1 day)
ways moves from one medium to another.
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How does a wave move  Describe the movement of water in a wave
within water? (1 day)  Label the parts of a wave – crest, trough, wavelength and height
In what way could you apply
 Graph the changes in tide height vs. time to determine the
your knowledge of wave to relationship between moon phases, moon positions and the times of
a relationship with moon
spring and neap tides: Diurnal, Semidiurnal and Mixed
phases? (1 day)
Honors Extension
How can you calculate tides
 The Bay of Fundy
by using a tide table? (2  Wave frequency (frequency = velocity / wavelength)
days)
Types of waves (such as breakers, deep water, shallow water,
Tsunamis)
Enduring Understanding: Energy is involved in all physical and chemical processes. It is conserved,
and can be transformed from one form to another and into work. Chemical reactions result in the
release or absorption of energy. Waves are the propagation of a disturbance. They transport
energy and momentum but do not transport matter.
Essential Questions
SC.912.P.10.2:
What is an open system,
Explore the Law of Conservation of Energy by differentiating among
closed system and isolated open, closed, and isolated systems and explain that the total energy in
system? (1 day)
an isolated system is a conserved quantity.
How would you describe the Differentiate between open closed and isolated systems
Law of Conservation of  Demonstrate the Law of Conservation of Energy in various scenarios of
Energy?(2 days)
energy transformation
Honors Extension
 Analyze based on latitude and longitude the amount of energy input
and output
Heat transfer through water
Enduring Understanding: Water has the ability to hold and store heat then move it from location to
location through currents. It also cycles carbon and water through the ecosystem.
Essential Questions
SC.912.E.7.9:
What is heat capacity? (1
Cite evidence that the ocean has had a significant influence on climate
day)
change by absorbing, storing and moving heat, carbon and water.
What are the major ocean
 Explain the concept of heat capacity and the role of the ocean in
currents? (1 day)
moderating Earth’s climate
How do these ocean
 Identify the influence of major ocean surface currents on climates of
currents influence climate? coastal regions that border them ( Gulf stream, Peru, California) gulf
(1 day)
stream carries heat, California carries cool water
How is the movement of  Describe the general circulation patterns of the northern hemisphere
Atlantic hurricanes related and the southern hemisphere
to ocean currents and heat?
 Detail the characteristics and movement patterns of Atlantic
(1 day)
hurricanes
Honors extension
 Explain all surface ocean currents
 Explain what a deep ocean current is
Enduring Understanding: Severe weather is linked to many different abiotic factors such as
temperature, pressure, coriolis effect and currents.
Essential Questions
SC.912.E.7.6:
What are the abiotic factors Relate the formation of severe weather to the various physical factors.
that lead to the formation of Describe abiotic factors

weather? (1 day)
 Describe the factors that lead to the formation of weather events,
How is energy transferred including thunderstorms and hurricanes
through the atmosphere? (1 Explain how energy is transferred from the ocean to the atmosphere
day)
through the formation of masses and weather systems
Honors Extension
Explain how the formation of air masses effect migratory patterns
Unit 5
Marine Geology Curriculum Specifics
Secondary Science Curriculum Revisions
March 2011-June 2011
Marine Geology
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12 Days
Click here for all Resources Specific to the Marine Geology Curriculum:
RED INDICATES HONORS EXTENSIONS ONLY
Enduring Understanding: The scientific theory of plate tectonics provides the framework for much
of modern geology.
Essential Questions
SC.912.E.6.3: Analyze the scientific theory of plate tectonics and
What are the Earth’s
identify related major processes and features as a result of moving
internal layers?(1 day)
plates.
What is the difference  Describe the Earth’s internal layers:
between oceanic and  Crust
continental crust?(1 day) Mantle (lithosphere and ashenosphere)
What is the theory of plate
 Outer core
tectonics?(2 days)
 Inner core
Who is Alfred Wegener and
 Compare and contrast oceanic crust and continental crust and
why did people not accept describe how they interact.
his theory?(1 day)
 Identify Alfred Wegener as the first to advance the idea of moving
What evidence supports the continents.
Theory of Continental  Explain why people did not readily accept his theory.
Drift?(1 day)
 Explain how the Theory of Continental Drift is supported by evidence.
What is seafloor
 Explain the theory of seafloor spreading.
spreading?(1 day)
 Describe evidence that supports seafloor spreading
What evidence supports  Include how the Glomar Challenger collected evidence to support
seafloor spreading?(1 day) seafloor spreading.
What are bathymetry and Describe how the invention of sonar contributed to an advanced
sonar?(1 day)
knowledge of the ocean bottom.
What happens at
 Explain what happens at convergent, divergent, and transform plate
convergent, divergent, and boundaries.
transform plate
Honors Extension:
boundaries?(2 days)
 Using plate tectonics explain some of the theories for how the earth
might be structured in the future.
Enduring Understanding: Over geologic time, internal and external sources of energy have
continuously altered the features of Earth by means of both constructive and destructive forces.

Essential Questions
What are some ocean floor
features and how are they
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formed?(1 day)
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SC.912.E.6.5: Describe the geologic development of the present day
oceans and identify commonly found features.
Identify the following ocean floor features and explain how each is
formed:
Abyssal plain
Continental rise
Continental shelf
Continental slope
Guyot
Mid-ocean ridge
Rift valley
Seamount
Trench
Honors Extension:
Identify the four types of sediments based on origin:
Lithogenous
Biogenous
Hydrogenous
Cosmogenous
Unit 6
Marine Ecology Curriculum Specifics
Secondary Science Curriculum Revisions
March 2011-June 2011
Marine Ecology
10 Days
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Enduring Understanding: Energy and nutrients move within and between biotic and abiotic
components of ecosystems via physical, chemical and biological processes.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.9:
 What are the tropic levels in Use a food web to identify and distinguish producers, consumers and
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a marine food web?(.5 days) decomposers. Explain the pathway of energy transfer through trophic
How does energy flow
levels and the reduction of available energy at successive trophic
through the marine
levels.
ecosystem?(.5 days)
 Given a marine food web, describe the trophic relationships between
What is the available energy the shown organisms.
transferred from one trophic
 Describe the flow of energy through an ecosystem using the sun,
level to another in a trophic producers, consumers and decomposers.
pyramid?(1 day)
 Explain the reduction of available energy that is transferred from one
trophic level to the next in a trophic pyramid. (10% rule)
Honors Extension
 Describe the different feeding strategies found in the marine
environment. (suspension feeding, deposit feeding, carnivorous
feeding)
Enduring Understanding: The scientific theory of the evolution of Earth states that changes in our
planet are driven by the flow of energy and the cycling of matter through dynamic interactions
among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere, geosphere, and biosphere, and the resources
used to sustain human civilization on Earth.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.10:
What is the carbon cycle?(1 Diagram and explain the biogeochemical cycles of an ecosystem,
day)
including water, carbon and nitrogen cycle.
 Describe and diagram the carbon cycle.
Enduring Understanding: Energy and nutrients move within and between biotic and abiotic
components of ecosystems via physical, chemical and biological processes. Human activities and
natural events can have profound effects on populations, biodiversity and ecosystem processes.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.7:
What are the abiotic factors Characterize the biotic and abiotic components that define freshwater
for the following areas of
systems, marine systems and terrestrial systems.
the marine environmental
 Describe the abiotic factors and label the following areas of the
zones: photic, aphotic,
marine environment: photic/aphotic, benthic/pelagic, neritic/oceanic,
benthic, pelagic, intertidal, intertidal(littoral)/sublittoral/bathyal/abyssal zones.
bathyal and abyssal?(2 days)
 Classify and give examples of organisms as planktonic (phytoplankton
How are plankton, nekton and zooplankton), nektonic, or benthic.
and benthic organisms
Honors Extension
different from each
 Describe the abiotic factors and label the following areas of the
other?(.5 days)
marine environment: epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic,
abyssopelagic, hadalpelagic
 Identify the major factor in distinguishing between the photic and
aphotic zones and understand that the euphotic zone is the most
productive.
 Classify plankton based on their size and portion of life time spent as
plankton.
Enduring Understanding: The distribution and abundance of organisms is determined by the
interactions between organisms, and between organisms and the non-living environment. Human
activities and natural events can have profound effects on populations, biodiversity and ecosystem
processes.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.2:
What is a limiting factor?(0.5 Explain the general distribution of life in aquatic systems as a function
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day)
of chemistry, geography, light, depth, salinity and temperature.
What are three limiting  Understand the term limiting factor and be able to list three limiting
factors for primary
factors to primary productivity.
productivity?(0.5 day)  Describe the sources of nutrient input into the marine environment.
What are the sources of
(coastal run-off, river input and upwelling)
nutrient input in the marine
 Explain why marine life is more abundant in coastal waters as
environment?(1 day)
compared to the open ocean.
Where is the marine life
Honors Extension
most abundant and why?(.5
 Define the compensation depth for photosynthesis and describe how
days)
it is measured.
Enduring Understanding: The distribution and abundance of organisms is determined by the
interactions between organisms, and between organisms and the non-living environment. Natural
events can have profound effects on populations, biodiversity and ecosystem processe
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.1:
What is carrying capacity?(.5 Discuss the characteristics of populations, such as number of
days)
individuals, age structure, density, and pattern of distribution.
How are limiting factors and
 Describe the concept of carrying capacity.
carrying capacity related?(.5
 Explain the relationship between limiting factors and carrying capacity.
days)
Honors Extension
 Calculate population density (number of individuals/area)
Enduring Understanding: The distribution and abundance of organisms is determined by the
interactions between organisms, and between organisms and the non-living environment.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.6:
What are parasitism,
Compare and contrast the relationships among organisms, including
commensalisms, and
predation, parasitism, competition, commensalism and mutualism.
mutualisms?(.5 days)
 Distinguish between the symbiotic relationships such as parasitism,
Why is there competition commensalisms and mutualism and give specific examples.
between organisms?(.5  Give reasons for competition between organisms. (reproduction, food,
days)
space, shelter)
Honors Extension
 Explain how competition affects carrying capacity.
Semester 2: Unit 7
Marine Populations Curriculum Specifics
Secondary Science Curriculum Revisions
March 2011-June 2011
Marine Populations
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30 Days
Click here for all Resources Specific to the Marince Populations Curriculum:
RED INDICATES HONORS EXTENSIONS ONLY
Enduring Understanding: The scientific theory of evolution by means of natural selection is a
fundamental concept underlying all of biology. All organisms change over time because they are
locked in a struggle for existence whereby those organisms better adapted to their immediate
environment are more likely to survive and leave more offspring.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.15.13:
How are the protists
Describe the conditions required for natural selection, including,
divisions adapted to the
overproduction of offspring, inherited variation and the struggle to
marine environment? (2
survive which result in differential reproductive success.
day)
 Explain the adaptations to the marine environment for the following
How are the different
divisions in Kingdom Protista: (different colors are caused by different
invertebrate phyla adapted pigments)
to the marine environment? A. Phaeophyta: stipe, thallus, blade, holdfast, pneumatocysts
(8 days)
B. Chlorophyta: evolved into terrestrial plants
How are the different fish C. Rhodophyta: deepest
classes adapted to the  Give examples and explain the adaptations to the marine environment
marine environment? (6
of the following invertebrate phyla:
days)
A. Porifera: asymmetry, sessile, filter feeder, reproduction,spicules,
How are the different
toxins
tetrapod classes adapted to B: Cnidaria: cnidocytes/stinging cells, tentacles, polyp, medusa
the marine environment? (6 C. Ctenophora: radial symmetry and cilia
days)
D. Mollusca: shell, mantle, foot, radula
How are the different
E. Annelida: segmented, bilateral symmetry
mammalian orders adapted F. Arthropoda: jointed appendages, exoskeleton, molting
to the marine environment? G. Echinodermata: radial symmetry, water vascular system, tube
(8 days)
feet, regeneration
 Give examples and explain the adaptations to the marine environment
of the following Fish classes: Agnatha, Chondrichthyes, and
Osteichthyes.
A. Sensory systems
B. Buoyancy and energy saving techniques(skeleton, liver, body
shape)
C. Fins, mouths and Body shapes
D. Reproductive strategies
 Give examples and explain the adaptations to the marine environment
of the following tetrapod classes:
A. Aves: waterproof feathers, web feet, eating strategies, salt
excretion, endothermic, migration
B. Reptilia: scales, salt excretion, migrations, terrestrial egg laying,
ectothermic
C. Mammalia: insulation, feeding strategies, migration
 Give examples and explain the adaptations to the marine environment
of the following mammalian orders:
A. Pinnipedia: flippers, delayed implantation, body shape
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B. Sirenia: flippers, herbivores
C. Cetacea: echolocation, dive reflex, myoglobin, body shapes
D. Carnivora.
Honors Extension
Give examples and explain the adaptations to the marine
environment for the following divisions in Kingdom Protista:
Cyanobacteria, Dinophyta, and Bacillariophyta. (buoyancy,
pigments, reproduction, movement)
Explain the adaptations to the marine environment of the following
Cetacea sub-orders: Odonticeti and Mysticeti.
Last Modified: Aug 01, 2011
Unit 8
Marine Environment Curriculum Specifics
Secondary Science Curriculum Revisions
March 2011-June 2011
Marine Environment
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20 Days
Click here for all Resources Specific to the History & Technology Curriculum:
RED INDICATES HONORS EXTENSIONS ONLY
Enduring Understanding: The distribution and abundance of organisms is determined by the
interactions between organisms, and between organisms and the non-living environment.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.2: Explain the general distribution of life in aquatic
What is an Estuary?(1 day) systems as a function of chemistry, geography, light, depth, salinity
What are the four types of and temperature.
estuaries based on their  Define Estuary.
origin?(1 day)
 Describe the classification system of estuaries based on their origin.
What are the four types of (coastal plain, fjord, bar-built, tectonic).
estuaries based on
 Describe the stratification of an estuary as vertically mixed, slightly
salinity?(1 day)
stratified, highly stratified, or salt wedge.
Where are euryhaline and Explain where euryhaline and stenohaline organisms are more likely to
stenohaline organisms more be found in an estuary.
likely to be found in an  Describe the abiotic and biotic factors of the following coastal
estuary?(1 day)
ecosystems:
What are the physical and mangrove swamps
biological components of salt marshes
mangrove swamps, salt  sea grasses
marshes and seagrasses?(3
 Identify the three Florida mangrove trees (red, black, white) by leaf
days)
design, trunk, and root structure and relate each tree to its most
What are the differences
frequently found elevation zone.
between red, black and
white mangroves?(0.5 day)
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Why are red, black, white
mangroves found at
different elevations?(0.5
day)
Enduring Understanding: The distribution and abundance of organisms is determined by the
interactions between organisms, and between organisms and the non-living environment.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.4: Describe changes in ecosystem resulting from seasonal
Where are corals more likely variations, climate and succession.
to be found on Earth?(1 day)
 Discuss the worldwide distribution of corals.
Why are corals more
 Explain why corals more common on the western side of an ocean
common on the western
basin?
side of the ocean?(1 day) List the physical and chemical factors required for coral growth.
What physical and chemical (moderate water motion, clear water, low nutrients, moderately high
factors are required for coral salinity, pleny of sunlight)
growth?(1 day)
 Distinguish between the three general types of coral reefs and how
Explain how the three types they are formed. (Fringing reefs, Barrier reefs, Atolls)
of coral reefs are formed?(2 Honors Extensions
day)
 Describe the physical and chemical environment of the polar oceans
including the seasonal variations, salinity, temperature, and
currents.
 Discuss adaptations of common organisms found in the polar oceans.
Enduring Understanding: The distribution and abundance of organisms is determined by the
interactions between organisms, and between organisms and the non-living environment.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.3: Discuss how various oceanic and freshwater processes,
What are the physical and such as currents, tides and waves, affect the abundance of aquatic
chemical factors that affect organisms.
organisms in intertidal  Discuss the physical and chemical factors that affect species
zones?(2 day)
distribution on the intertidal zones such as rocky shore and sandy
What are the adaptations of beaches.
an organism to the intertidal
 Describe adaptations of organisms to the physical and chemical
zone?(5 day)
factors of the intertidal zones.
Honors Extensions
 Define meiofauna, describe where meiofauna are found in the
sediments, and give examples of organisms that comprise the
meiofauna.
 Describe the physical and chemical environment of the deep ocean
including the salinity, temperature, currents, sediment load, and
pressure.
 Discuss adaptations of common organisms found in the deep oceans.
 Describe the physical and chemical environment of the open oceans
including the salinity, temperature, and currents.
 Discuss adaptations of common organisms found in the open oceans.
Last Modified: Aug 01, 2011
Unit 9
Human Impact Curriculum Specifics
Secondary Science Curriculum Revisions
March 2011-June 2011
Human Impact
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25 Days
Click here for all Resources Specific to the Marine Physics Curriculum:
RED INDICATES HONORS EXTENSIONS ONLY
Enduring Understanding: There are alternatives to using fossil fuels for energy.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.11: Evaluate the cost and benefits of renewable and on
renewable resources, such as water, energy fossil fuels, wildlife and
Define renewable and nonforests.
renewable resources.(1 day)
 Identify marine examples of renewable resources and the costs and
Give examples of each.(.5 benefits of their use
 Identify marine examples of nonrenewable resources and the costs
days)
and benefits of their use
What are the costs and  Evaluate the possible environmental impacts resulting ~from the use
benefits of each type of
of renewable and/or nonrenewable resources
resource, including
 Show how consumer and environmental pressures successfully
environmental impacts?(1 reduced dolphin by-catch in the tuna fishery.
day)
 Describe how algae is used commercially
 Identify seafloor resources (nodules and methane hydrates)
Why did consumers boycott
Honors Extensions:
tuna?(.5 day)
SC.912.L.17.18: Describe how human population size and resource
List ways alga is used
use relate to environment quality
commercially.(.5 day)  Describe how different natural resources are produced and how
Give examples of seafloor their rates of use and renewal limit availability.
SC.912.E.6.6: Analyze past, present and potential future
resources.(1 day)
consequences to the environment resulting from various energy
production technologies.
 Describe alternative sources of energy including but not limited to:
wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric, geothermal, and hydrogen cells and
how their rates of use and renewal limit availability.
 Evaluate the effects on the environment of alternative sources of
energy including but not limited to: wind, solar, tidal, hydroelectric,
geothermal, and hydrogen cells.
 Identify the sources of thermal pollution and its effects
 Explain the process of desalinization
Enduring Understanding: The distribution and abundance of organisms is determined by the
interactions between organisms, and between organisms and the non-living environment. Human
activities, natural events, global climate change, and the introduction of invasive, non-native
species can have a profound effect on populations, biodiversity and ecosystem processes.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.8: Recognize the consequences of the losses of
What is a non-native
biodiversity due to catastrophic events, climate changes, human
species? When does it
activity, and the introduction of invasive, non native species.
become invasive? What are
 Identify marine invasive species, their effects on teh marine
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marine, non-native species ecosystems and their modes of introduction. (green mussels, lionfish,
that have invaded Florida?(2 pink jellyfish, Brazilian pepper, Australian Pine, hydrilla)
days)
 Define overfishing in terms of maximum sustainable yield.
How are invasive species  Give examples of overfished stocks. (cod, tuna, sharks, grouper)
introduced into the marine
 Identify methods of commercial fishing and their impact on the
environment and their
world’s oceans. (long lines, drift nets, trawling, purse seines, gill nets)
effects?(.5 days)
 Identify reasons for the collapse of the whaling industry, reasons for
How does overfishing create the moratorium, and examples of countries/cultures that still whale
a loss of biodiversity?(2  Relate global climate change to the marine environment. (coral
days)
bleaching, rising sea levels, increase CO2, increase algal blooms)
What are methods of  Analyze ways in which humans have caused worldwide wetland
commercial fishing?(2 days) destruction
How is global climate  Describe examples of natural catastrophic events that affect the
change related to marine marine environment such as tsunamis, volcanic eruption, methane
science?(1 day)
hydrate eruptions, and earthquakes and what affects they have
What are examples of
catastrophic events and
wetland destruction that
can cause a loss of
biodiversity?(2 days)
Enduring Understanding: Human activity has greatly affected the marine environment. Human
activities can have a profound effect on populations, biodiversity and ecosystem processes.
Essential Questions
SC.912.L.17.16: Discuss the large scale environmental impacts
Compare biomagnification resulting from human activity, including waste pills, oil spills, runoff,
and bioaccumulation.(0.5 greenhouse gases, ozone depletion and surface and groundwater
day)
pollution.
What is the greatest source
 Differentiate between biomagnification and bioaccumulation and
of marine pollution?(.5 days) their effects.
What are sources of oil and
 Identify sources of marine pollution. (agricultural and municipal
heavy metal pollution in
runoff, airborne emissions, spills/dumping)
marine waters?(1 day)  Identify the sources of heavy metal pollution in the marine
Why is crude oil less
environment. (coal burning, antifoulding paints)
biologically damaging to the
 Recognize sources of oil pollution in marine waters.
marine environment?(.5  Differentiate between crude and refined oil and which is less
days)
biologically damaging.
List ways coral reefs are  Identify the causes of coral reef destruction. (runoff, harvesting, global
destroyed.(.5 days)
climate change, boats)
What are the sources of  Describe the sources of eutrophication and what it can lead to.
eutrophication and what  Identify reasons why plastics are an environmental threat.
does it lead to?(1 day)  Recognize the dangers of chlorinated hydrocarbons and why they are
How are chlorinated
so dangerous to the marine ecosystem.
hydrocarbons and plastics List the pros and cons of dredging.
dangerous to marine
organisms?(1 day)
What are the pros and cons
of dredging?(0.5day)
Enduring Understanding: Manipulation of DNA in organisms has led to commercial production of
biological molecules on a large scale and genetically modified organisms. Mariculture has produced
marine products such as food, cosmetics, and agriculture.
Essential Questions
Honors Extensions:
What are the possible
SC.912.L.16.10: Evaluate the impact on biotechnology on the
positive and negative
individual, society and the environment, including medical and
impacts of biotechnology on ethical issues.
the environment?(2 days) Identify ways that biotechnology has impacted the environments
such as farming techniques and release of genetically modified
organisms. (Mariculture produces marine products such as food,
cosmetics, pharmaceuticals and agriculture.)
Enduring Understanding: Human actions affect the ocean and the marine life it holds so we have
to create ways to protect it.
Essential Questions
Honors Extensions:
List new technology in
SC.912.L.17.17: Assess the effectiveness of innovative methods of
marine science.(.5 days)
protecting the environment.
How are the new
 Identify new technology and expanding areas of marine research
technologies helping to
such as methane hydrates, marine protected areas, climatology,
protect the marine
pharmaceuticals, and animal tracking
environment?(1 day)
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Last Modified: Aug 01, 2011
Unit Last Modified: Jul 06, 2011
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