Introduction
This lesson will introduce the student to the science of Marine Biology. The content and activities also discuss the history of marine studies and the technology that supports marine sciences today.
- Diving bell descending into an underwater abyss
Diving bell descending into an underwater abyss.
- A beautiful fish in the waters of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Gulf of Mexico.
A beautiful fish in the waters of the Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary, Gulf of Mexico.
- A NOAA archaeologist photographs a wreck site in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary using specially a constructed sled mounted with a high-resolution camera.
A NOAA archaeologist photographs a wreck site in Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary using specially a constructed sled mounted with a high-resolution camera.
- The NOAA Ship Fairweather is named after Mt. Fairweather, located in Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve along the U.S.-Canada border.
The NOAA Ship Fairweather is named after Mt. Fairweather, located in Alaska's Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve along the U.S.-Canada border. Mt. Fairweather was named by Captain Cook in 1778, presumably because of the good weather encountered at the time of his visit. Fairweather conducted a 2012 reconnaissance mission to help NOAA prioritize its efforts to update navigational charts in the Arctic.
- Divers from the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Eastern Carolina University photograph the German U-boat U-352.
Divers from the Office of National Marine Sanctuaries and Eastern Carolina University photograph the German U-boat U-352. U-352 was surveyed off the coast of Morehead City, N.C., during the Battle of the Atlantic Expedition Summer 2008. The wreck site was surveyed using traditional archaeological mapping techniques coupled with video and photographic documentation. The site was discovered in the 1970s and has suffered the effects of storms, time, and looters. NOAA's objective during the survey was to map the site in detail and to assess its historical significance and archaeological integrity. NOAA divers used various technologies to document the sites, including employing underwater cameras and sonar to create a photo-mosaic of the wreck.
- A biologist from the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary uses a glue gun to reattach a piece of living coral broken lose when a boat went aground on the shallow coral reef.
A biologist from the Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary uses a glue gun to reattach a piece of living coral broken lose when a boat went aground on the shallow coral reef.
- Multibeam sonar systems emit sound waves from directly beneath a ship's hull to produce fan-shaped coverage of the sea floor.
Multibeam sonar systems emit sound waves from directly beneath a ship's hull to produce fan-shaped coverage of the sea floor. These systems measure and record the time elapsed between the emission of the signal from the transducers to the sea floor or object and back again. Multibeam sonars produce a 'swath' of soundings (i.e., depths) to ensure full coverage of an area.
- Scientists from the Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research begin necropsy of two pygmy killer whales.
Scientists from the Center for Coastal Environmental Health and Biomolecular Research begin necropsy of two pygmy killer whales. Samples were collected from these two rarely seen animals for biotoxin analysis, contaminant analysis, and histopathology to determine the causes of death.
- NOS marine mammal forensic scientist Kathy Moore uses calipers to measure sea turtle eggs.
NOS marine mammal forensic scientist Kathy Moore uses calipers to measure sea turtle eggs.
- A Global Positioning System setup on a benchmark on the top of the NOAA Sentinel at Shell Beach, Louisiana.
A Global Positioning System setup on a benchmark on the top of the NOAA Sentinel at Shell Beach, Louisiana. NOAA Sentinels are water-level observing stations which have been strengthened to deliver real-time storm tide data during severe coastal events. Built to withstand category four hurricanes, these structures maintain an incredible presence, given their size and stature, along the Gulf coast.
on the right.
Objective:
- The student will employ the scientific method and analyze resulting data.
Standards:
- Ma: The student will demonstrate an understanding of how scientific inquiry and technological design, including mathematical analysis, can be used appropriately to pose questions, seek answers, and develop solutions.
- Ma.1: Generate hypotheses based on credible, accurate, and relevant sources of scientific
- information.
- Ma.2: Use appropriate laboratory apparatuses, technology, and techniques safely and accurately when conducting a scientific investigation.
- Ma.3: Use scientific instruments to record measurement data in appropriate metric units that reflect the precision and accuracy of each particular instrument.
- Ma.5: Organize and interpret the data from a controlled scientific investigation by using mathematics, graphs, models, and/or technology.
- Ma.6: Evaluate the results of a controlled scientific investigation in terms of whether they refute or verify the hypothesis.
Topics
Topics in this section of Module 1 include:
- Marine Biology
- History of Marine Biology
- Marine Biology Today
Guiding Questions
- What events in history led to major advances in Marine Biology?
- Why is it important to study the oceans and the live within them?
- What technologies are scientists currently using to study the ocean and ocean life?
- What are the processes and components of a scientific experiment?
Please click the menu items under Lessons in the navigation menu above to begin!
Image Source: Ocean Images at the NOAA Gallery