Format
1. This program begins with an interactive PowerPoint.
2. Students will view several of the aquariums most popular exhibits through real-time cameras.
4. Students will observe animals native to the Gulf of Mexico.
5. Time is allowed for questions and answers.
Objectives
The participant will:
-Explore adaptations of animals in the Gulf of Mexico
-Engage in discussions with presenter
-Compare different habitats found in the Gulf of Mexico
-Develop an appreciation for the animals around the Texas coast and the Gulf of Mexico
Standards Alignment
National Standards
National Science Standards
NS.K-4.1 Science as Inquiry
As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of:
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Understanding about scientific inquiry
NS.K-4.3 Life Science
As a result of activities in grades K-4, all students should develop understanding of:
The characteristics of organisms
Organisms and environments
NS.5-8.1 SCIENCE AS INQUIRY
As a result of activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop understanding of:
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Understandings about scientific inquiry
NS.5-8.3 Life Science
As a result of their activities in grades 5-8, all students should develop understanding of:
Structure and function in living systems
Populations and ecosystems
Diversity and adaptations of organisms
NS.9-12.1 Science as Inquiry
As a result of activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop understanding of:
Abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry
Understandings about scientific inquiry
NS.9-12.3 Life Science
As a result of their activities in grades 9-12, all students should develop understanding of:
Behavior of organisms
State Standards
Texas Science Standards
3rd Grade:
3.9 A Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms have characteristics that help them survive and can describe patterns, cycles, systems, and relationships within the environments. The student is expected to observe and describe the physical characteristics of environments and how they support populations and communities within an ecosystem.
3.10 A Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms undergo similar life processes and have structures that help them survive within their environments. The student is expected to explore how structures and functions of plants and animals allow them to survive in a particular environment.
4th Grade:
4.9 B Organisms and environments. The student knows and understands that living organisms within an ecosystem interact with one another and with their environment. The student is expected to describe the flow of energy through food webs, beginning with the Sun, and predict how changes in the ecosystem affect the food web such as a fire in a forest.
4.10 A Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms undergo similar life processes and have structures that help them survive within their environment. The student is expected to explore how adaptations enable organisms to survive in their environment such as comparing birds' beaks and leaves on plants.
5th Grade:
5.9 A Organisms and environments. The student knows that there are relationships, systems, and cycles within environments. The student is expected to observe the way organisms live and survive in their ecosystem by interacting with the living and non-living elements.
5.10 A Organisms and environments. The student knows that organisms undergo similar life processes and have structures that help them survive within their environments. The student is expected to compare the structures and functions of different species that help them live and survive such as hooves on prairie animals or webbed feet in aquatic animals.
6th Grade:
6.12 E Organisms and environments. The student knows all organisms are classified into Domains and Kingdoms. Organisms within these taxonomic groups share similar characteristics which allow them to interact with the living and nonliving parts of their ecosystem. The student is expected to describe biotic and abiotic parts of an ecosystem in which organisms interact.
7th Grade:
7.10 A Organisms and environments. The student knows that there is a relationship between organisms and the environment. The student is expected to observe and describe how different environments, including microhabitats in schoolyards and biomes, support different varieties of organisms.
8th Grade:
8.11 D Organisms and environments. The student knows that interdependence occurs among living systems and the environment and that human activities can affect these systems. The student is expected to recognize human dependence on ocean systems and explain how human activities such as runoff, artificial reefs, or use of resources have modified these systems.
Texas Aquatic Science Standards
9th-12th Grade:
10 B Science concepts The student knows environmental adaptations of aquatic organisms. The student is expected to compare and describe how adaptations allow an organism to exist within an aquatic environment.