C-MORE Science Kits:
Plankton
C-MORE
Contact Information
Grades 3–12 for Lessons 1, 2, & 3; Grades 6–12 for Lesson 4
This kit explores plankton and their global importance through four lessons and an optional extension activity. Plankton are tiny plants (phytoplankton) and animals (zooplankton) that are incapable of swimming against major currents in the ocean.
In Lesson 1 (40 minutes), students learn about plankton through a narrated PowerPoint presentation and investigate and identify various phytoplankton.
In Lesson 2 (45 minutes), students design their own phytoplankton.
In Lesson 3 (50 minutes), students investigate zooplankton with a microscope.
In Lesson 4 (60 minutes), students use an educational CD and virtual microscope to explore phytoplankton, learn about environmental factors that affect phytoplankton growth and distribution, and run a computer simulation to generate phytoplankton blooms.
Lessons 1, 2, and 3 are suitable for Grades 3–12, whereas Lesson 4 is geared toward Grades 6–12. Computers (not provided) are required for Lesson 4, and the students (or the teacher) must provide the supplies for the optional extension activity. Pre- and post- surveys are included.
Lesson Materials
By clicking any of the links to download the lesson materials, you acknowledge that C-MORE educational materials may be reproduced for educational, non-commercial purposes only.
Please contact us at kits@soest.hawaii.edu or (808) 956-7739 to request teacher answer keys for this kit.
- Complete lesson plans (without teacher answer keys; 6.5 MB PDF)
- Resources:
- PowerPoint: Introduction to Plankton (7 MB)
- PowerPoint: Introduction to Plankton – NARRATED (51 MB)
Having problems? Contact kits@soest.hawaii.edu.
