Launch
Meet Ocean Voices
Effective Communication
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
Project Launch
Community Partners
Students participate in a guided conversation with aquarium educators or conservation partners and observe a related exhibit or video to hear how sound affects marine life. In small groups, they generate initial questions and plan three short interviews plus a simple observation checklist for later research.
Plan day
Day 1
Duration
60 min
Grouping
Small Group
Steps
5 steps
Lesson plan
5 steps · 60 min| # | What teachers do |
|---|---|
| 1 | Introduce the activity and play the National Geographic video on echolocation to provide background knowledge. (15 min) |
| 2 | Facilitate a Q&A session for discussing insights from the video with aquarium educators. Encourage students to focus on how cetaceans use sound to navigate their environment. (15 min) |
| 3 | Form small groups and guide students through brainstorming initial questions for the aquarium visit. Students should reflect on sound pollution and its impact on marine life. (10 min) |
| 4 | Assist groups in planning three short interviews and designing a simple observation checklist for the upcoming aquarium field trip. These should focus on effective communication with empathy and critical thinking regarding ocean noise pollution. (10 min) |
| 5 | Wrap up with a group reflection where students share their group's interview plans and observation checklist, preparing for the field trip while receiving critiques and revisions. (10 min) |
Preparation (3 items)
- Ensure the National Geographic video is accessible and ready to play. Prepare copies of background information on echolocation and the effects of ocean noise pollution to distribute to students.
- Coordinate with Mystic Aquarium educators to confirm their availability for the Q&A session and align the discussion points.
- Provide any necessary materials for interview planning and observation checklist creation, such as templates or guiding questions. Ensure students have access to paper, pens, and any digital tools they might need.
Student-facing instructions
Your task is to immerse yourself in understanding how cetaceans use sound to navigate by watching the video, then engage in a guided discussion with aquarium educators. Collaborate with your group to brainstorm questions and plan interviews focusing on how ocean noise pollution affects marine mammals. Design an observation checklist for your upcoming aquarium visit and share your plans with the class for feedback.