Introduction

Imagine you are a marine biologist who has been asked to live aboard a boat for one week in the middle of the ocean. A billionaire named John Aster is determined to find a undiscovered species and name it after his family name. Your job is to dive each day to different depths and discover a new species of ocean animal. There are 20 other divers and biologist searching for undiscovered animals. The reward to the first person who discovers a new ocean animal is 2 million dollars. Will you be the first? Jump in and log the animals you discover!

Task

Your task is to catalog and record animals you find diving in the ocean.

Process

* In order to create your journal and log of the animals you have discovered you will first visit some internet sites. You will get a feel for the different type of creatures that live in the ocean. Make careful notes about each animal. Notes should include

* Depth of water where the animal lives. (shallow, deep)

* Food that the animals eat

* How do the animals get around (swim, float, crawl)

* What is the temperature of the water where the animal lives? (cold, tropical coral reef)

* Any specific adaptations, colors, defenses, or unusual characteristics about each animal.

You should create a log containing ten animals.

Resources

* Click here for the Monterey Bay Aquarium

* Click here for the animal printout page from enchanted learning

* Click here for animals of the sea

* Click here for more resources

Evaluation

* You will need to tell the class about one animal from your report. The animal must be different from any other student’s report so have a few in mind. You will need to tell what depth it lives at, the type of water it lives in and something special about the animal. The most unique animal presented to the class will win 10 points extra credit.

Conclusion

* After this assignment you will be able to identify different ocean types around the world. You will be familiar with the diversity of the animals that live in the ocean.