Whale of a Tale

 

Whales are the biggest mammals on earth – and in the oceans. Get ready for big surprises in exploring whales with these online activities.

 

CONNECT:

Get the facts about humpback whales at

• https://www.natgeokids.com/uk/discover/animals/sea-life/humpback-song/#:~:text=Fast%20Facts,they%20are%20ten%20years%20old.
• Watch and learn about toothed and baleen whales at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9VO0cQyg5dE&ab_channel=LearnBright
• Identify 20 types of whales at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CO2e90aCRIM&ab_channel=TwinkleMoon

 

CREATE:

• Play like whales at https://tinkergarten.com/activities/play-like-whales
• Try these kid-friendly activities about whales at https://montessorifromtheheart.com/2021/02/21/whale-montessori-kids-activities/
• Close to an ocean with a whale? Get tips for whale watching at https://montessorifromtheheart.com/2021/02/21/whale-montessori-kids-activities/ -- and if whales aren’t close this site has several scientific activities for you.

 

CARE:

• See how crab fisherman test new tech to protect whales from deadly entanglements at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iS8Vohuq6Cw&ab_channel=CBSEveningNews
• Watch how you can take care of whales and other marine mammals at https://montessorifromtheheart.com/2021/02/21/whale-montessori-kids-activities/
• Learn about the issues of whales’ survival at https://www.fisheries.noaa.gov/species/blue-whale/conservation-management

 

CAREERS:

Does the thought of whales Want to make a big splash in life? Think about a career related to whales. Here are some possibilities.

• https://us.whales.org/2024/05/20/career-chat-with-kate/
• https://baleinesendirect.org/en/comment-faire-pour-travailler-avec-les-baleines/                                                                                                
• https://unity.edu/environmental-careers/ocean-jobs-a-marine-careers-list-for-water-lovers/

 

Over (and Under) the Ocean Blue

How much do you know about the majority of planet earth: its oceans? It’s a lively topic, and one you can really plunge into. Try some of these activities below, and make waves!

CONNECT:

• Did you know that the ocean forms currents? What causes currents? Why is the sea salty? Find out the answers to these questions at http://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/rose-center-for-earth-and-space/david-s.-and-ruth-l.-gottesman-hall-of-planet-earth/what-causes-climate-and-climate-change/the-world-ocean
• Discover marine creatures from the tiny zooxanthellae that make the coral reefs home to the giant mammals of the vast seas: at http://www.mbgnet.net/salt/index.htm
• Virtually visit the Smithsonian Ocean Planet exhibit at http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/OCEAN_PLANET/HTML/ocean_planet_overview.html
• Explore marine life “down under” at http://portphillipmarinelife.net.au/
• Discover planet ocean at http://school.discoveryeducation.com/schooladventures/planetocean/ocean.html
• Look at the history of ocean life through NOAA’s photo library: http://www.photolib.noaa.gov/

CREATE:

• This site allows you to do several activities related to sea life: https://www.fi.edu/sites/default/files/SummerCampDiscovery_Week8_Dangers_of_the_Deep_Newsletter.08.14.pdf
• Explore the splendors of the sea at http://www.seasky.org/sea.html
• Watch a kelp forest “live” at http://www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals-and-experiences/live-web-cams/kelp-forest-cam. You might even see a wolf eel!
• Become a Junior Oceanographer! Take the quiz and earn a certificate. Join at http://sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/education/stuffforkids/junioroceanographer/

CARE:

• How much oil is usually lost to an oil spill and who cleans it up? Find out on this site from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration: http://response.restoration.noaa.gov/oil-and-chemical-spills/oil-spills
• Want to help oceans and the living things therein? http://www.vanaqua.org/act/direct-action has a list of conservation projects that you can participate in.
• Make waves at this interactive website:  http://waves.marine.usf.edu/news_menu/news_menu.htm
• Imagine living underwater to study and preserve marine ecosystems. You can get involved without even getting wet, at http://aquarius.fiu.edu/
• You don’t have to be a scientist to help save coral reefs. Try one of the following ten steps to help: http://www.nature.org/ourinitiatives/habitats/coralreefs/ways-to-help-coral-reefs/index.htm

CAREER:

You can make waves in a career related to oceans. Here are few starters:

http://www.oceancareers.com/2.0/index.php

http://www.marinecareers.net/

http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/edu/oceanage/welcome.html

http://www.cosee.net/about/careers/

http://www.marineinsight.com/careers-2/a-list-of-unique-and-interesting-marine-careers/

https://marine-conservation.org/who-we-are/jobs/career-resources/

Life's a Beach!

Beaches are found around the world as land and water meet. Take some time to meet beaches by surfing these websites.

CONNECT:

•  Watch the changing nature of shorelines and beaches at http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/characteristics-of-shorelines-beaches.html#lesson
•   Where does beach sand come from? Find out at http://www.livescience.com/38163-where-beach-sand-comes-from.html
•   Explore beach marine life at http://www.enchantedlearning.com/themes/beach/animals.shtml
•   Hey, Dude! Check out this awesome International Surfing Museum: http://www.surfingmuseum.org/
• What was it like to land on the beach in Normandy on D-Day? Listen and watch hundreds of veterans recount their experiences at http://www.loc.gov/vets/stories/onthebeach.html

CREATE:

•  Here are some fun sand activities, even if the beach is far away: http://spoonful.com/family-fun/20-sand-activities-kids
•  Try some of these beach crafts for kids: http://www.tipjunkie.com/post/beach-crafts/
•  Make a creative sand castle: http://www.sandcastlecentral.com/tips/index.html provides useful tips.
• Have fun playing beach volleyball, even if you’re not at the beach: http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/teamsports/article3.html
• Experiment making waves by following the directions at http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/bring-science-home-beach-erosion/

CARE:

•  Learn to stay healthy at the beach, AND protect the beach: http://www2.epa.gov/beaches/plan-trip-beach
• How clean is your local beach water? Check out its quality at http://www.nrdc.org/water/oceans/ttw/default.asp
• Find out how to take a stand to protect oceans and beaches by participating in a local campaign: http://www.surfrider.org/campaigns
•  How do you save a beached whale? Follow these steps: http://www.ehow.com/how_2157535_save-beached-whale.html

CAREERS:

Think of all the people associated with beaches: scientists, lifeguards, sailing crews, maintenance people, retailers, athletes and coaches, artists, resort staff, travel agents, and realtors.

•  One large industry sector that takes advantage of beaches is hospitality: http://discoverhospitality.com/career-paths/
•   Environmental careers are discussed at http://www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/environmental-scientists-and-specialists.htm
• Explore marine careers at http://www.marinecareers.net/field_relatedfields.php