The Smithsonian’s Secrets of the Sea invites students to explore coral reefs in an online 3D interactive and through other classroom-ready activities. Secrets of the Sea makes the effects of climate change on our oceans meaningful, relevant, and accessible to your students. Whether users are aspiring marine biologists, game enthusiasts, or educators looking for engaging science resources, they’ll be able to explore the vibrant world of a coral reef through videos, an online game, and hands-on activities. Students will be able to discover the connections between the tiniest plants and the largest hunters, and recreate a healthy and diverse ecosystem by finding living things and returning them to the coral reef.
The experience features the work of Dr. Nancy Knowlton, former Sant Chair for Marine Science at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History and co-founder of the Earth Optimism movement. Dr. Knowlton’s approach to talking about climate change is to share stories of groups of people whose collective actions are making a positive change, instead of the “doom and gloom” that up to now hasn’t been working.
Platform used:
Online
Primary URL:
https://s.si.edu/secretsofthesea
Problem solved:
Teachers tell us all the time about their struggles in teaching climate change; students feel it’s either too big of a problem for them to make a difference, or feels too far off into the future, or not relevant to where they live. Secrets of the Sea makes the science engaging, relevant, and approachable. With the help of Smithsonian experts in the field, they can learn about the threats reefs face and the cutting-edge technology that is being used to combat climate change. They’ll also hear stories of those that have made real, positive change, and acquire a list of resources for how they can help make positive changes as well.
Age/grade range:
Students aged 8-12
Core or supplemental:
Supplemental activity
Standards:
Aligned to Next Generation Science Standards (4-LS1-1, 5-PS3-1, and 5-LS1-1).
Lesson time needed:
Around 30 minutes
Pricing model:
Free
Additional services needed:
None
What makes Secrets of the Sea unique?
As part of Secrets of the Sea, Dr. Nancy Knowlton, former Sant Chair for Marine Science at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, offers a glimpse of her career that has spanned decades studying changes in the oceans and introduces the next generation of scientists and researchers using cutting-edge technology to understand the impact of humans on the oceans.
Characteristics:
The suite of materials is built with accessibility in mind. The classroom educational materials are accessed through the Smithsonian Learning Lab, a platform designed for a teacher audience but available and user-friendly for all. The online game is created in HTML5, accessible through any modern browser with no software downloads needed. Suite materials can be used standalone, but are most successful when facilitated through the Learning Lab: gain curiosity by watching videos about coral reefs and how their ecosystem is a network of life, participate in active learning by playing the online interactive and putting that learning into practice, return to the collection for reflective questions. Critical thinking questions are based on Harvard Project Zero’s “I Used to Think…” and “Looking Closely” thinking routines.
Here’s what users are saying:
“I struggle with teaching the far-reaching effects (of climate change) in a way that is not going to depress the students or make them feel like there is no hope. Thank you so much for sharing this! I am looking forward to using these resources in my classroom.”
"Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge, time and resources! We will be incorporating this kit in our homeschool lessons."
"Thank you so much!!!!!! Great resources for teachers. Thank you for spending time with us. We love learning from you!!!!"
