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Marine Science Project
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Imagine learning about marine science while collaborating with someone who trains dolphins! Or picture yourself exploring ocean habitats with an oceanographer. If you’re excited about applying your knowledge to real-world careers, our VLACS Projects are the perfect fit for you!
This engaging learning pathway allows students to explore various career fields while mastering key concepts and skills. For each competency, you can choose to complete a pre-designed project that simulates real-life career tasks or create your own unique learning experience. Regardless of your choice, you’ll engage in thorough research and apply what you learn to authentic career scenarios.
With the pre-designed projects, you’ll tackle real-world tasks that align with each competency. If you decide to design your own experience, you’ll collaborate with your instructor and a mentor to design and complete meaningful career tasks that demonstrate your understanding. We have partnered with hundreds of mentors you can work with if you choose to design your own experience. Check out our Career Mentor Catalog here.
Take a look at the competency statements and pre-designed options below. We’re excited to support you on this exciting and open-ended learning adventure!
Note: This is a project-based course. If you’re looking for a traditional format, please return to the learning catalog and select the course.
Projects
Marine Engineer
Competency: Ocean Properties
You are a marine civil engineer and you build and monitor the use of ports and waterways by water traffic to ensure that they are not affecting the surrounding waters or marine life in a negative way. You need to secure funding for protecting ocean properties.
You will create a presentation for a meeting with an environmental group Your presentation will describe the study of aquatic ecosystems, describe the abiotic and biotic factors of aquatic ecosystems, and explain the properties of seawater.
Climatologist
Competency: Ocean and Atmosphere Interactions
You are a climatologist working at an environmental consulting firm. You will be attending and presenting at a conference on ocean and atmosphere interactions.
You will create an informative display to present that will describe the theory of plate tectonics and ocean formation, explain the impacts of weather, explain the impacts of climate, and explain the relationship between ocean and atmosphere.
Park Naturalist
Competency: Ocean Movement
You are a park naturalist at Acadia National Park in Maine. You conduct tours about ocean movement. You will create a tour guide script that will explain types of seasonal and successional change, describe elements of ocean energy, and describe coastline dynamics.
Ecotourism Guide
Competency: Ocean Life
You are an Ecotourism Guide working at a seacoast visitors booth, handing out information to raise awareness on ocean life.
You will create an informative brochure that will explain marine biodiversity and natural selection, describe characteristics of marine populations, and analyze interactions within marine habitats.
Charterboat Captain
Competency: Ocean Interactions
You are the operator of an eco-friendly fishing charter. During the fishing charter, you share information with your guests about ocean interactions.
You will create a video or pictorial that will describe connections between marine ecosystems and energy exchange, explain relationships among marine organisms, and describe the human impact on the marine environment.
NOAA Officer
Competency: Conservation
You are an officer for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. You often write newsletters providing information to policymakers that convey the importance of conservation.
You will create a newsletter that will explain marine conservation issues, analyze types of marine resources, and describe the protection of the ocean.
Competencies
Ocean Properties
Students will demonstrate an understanding of ocean properties by describing the study of aquatic ecosystems, describing the abiotic and biotic factors of aquatic ecosystems, and explaining the properties of seawater.
Ocean and Atmosphere Interactions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of ocean and atmosphere interactions by describing the theory of plate tectonics and ocean formation, explaining the impacts of weather, explaining the impacts of climate, and explaining the relationship between ocean and atmosphere.
Ocean Movement
Students will demonstrate an understanding of ocean movement by explaining types of seasonal and successional change, describing elements of ocean energy, and describing coastline dynamics.
Ocean Life
Students will demonstrate an understanding of ocean life by explaining marine biodiversity and natural selection, describing characteristics of marine populations, and analyzing interactions within marine habitats.
Ocean Interactions
Students will demonstrate an understanding of ocean interactions by describing connections between marine ecosystems and energy exchange, explaining relationships among marine organisms, and describing the human impact on the marine environment.
Conservation
Students will demonstrate an understanding of conservation by explaining marine conservation issues, analyzing types of marine resources, and describing the protection of the ocean.
