MERLOT Materials

EOL is an attempt to create a complete biodiversity database on the web. It is similar to Wikipedia with a goal of having... see more

An estuary is a body of water that is created when freshwater from rivers and streams flows into the saltwater of an... see more

When most people think about the movement of ocean water, they think of waves or tides. Ocean surface currents are less... see more

This hands-on activity introduces students to the process of fermenting different carbohydrate sources into ethanol.... see more

This is a hands-on inquiry activity using zip-lock plastic bags that allows students to observe the process of... see more

This animation explors how animals choose what to eat. The data used in this animation is from a study of bluegill... see more

Forecasting Dust Storms Version 2 provides background and operational information about dust storms. The first part of... see more

In this activity, learners create a freshwater ecosystem in a large plastic bottle. Learners cut and prepare bottles,... see more

Four teaching units show how NASA satellites measure ocean productivity. Topics cover: marine food web from producers to... see more

In this activity, learners explore how genetic switches function and the role of genetic switches in the process of... see more

In this environmental science activity (page 3 of the PDF), leaners will identify and explain the causes of erosion. They... see more

In a mixed culture, how does the population of Didinium affect the population of Paramecium �����_ and vice... see more

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) is the nation's primary laboratory for renewable energy and energy... see more

In this activity, students conduct a life cycle assessment of energy used and produced in ethanol production, and a life... see more

In this activity, learners consider the water features they might enjoy at a community park--a pond, brook, water... see more

University of South Florida scientists have teamed with teachers to design lesson plans based on current ocean research.... see more

Peer-reviewed activities for grades 6-12 as well as non-traditional educational venues are available. Each activity has... see more

Sampling of aquatic microorganisms reveals a surprising feature of many open water systems - stratification. Planktonic... see more

This climate change interactive modeling simulation simulates the interactions among different sets of variables related... see more

NOS measures and predicts coastal and ocean phenomena, protects large areas of the oceans, and works to ensure safe... see more

This activity allows students to figure out how they can negatively impact wildlife without trying.

As higher amounts of carbon dioxide become absorbed by the oceans, some marine organisms are struggling to adjust.... see more

Set of six interdisciplinary lesson plans from the Smithsonian, complementing their online "Ocean Planet" exhibit. Topics... see more

Colored beads in a bag are used to represent different types of microbes, with the bag itself representing the ocean.... see more