Lesson overview

This lesson explores the depth of the ocean through creating a scale diagram of the different ocean zones and identifying significant points within these zones. Students will consider why deep sea exploration is so challenging for humans and the different issues scientists have to overcome. This lesson allows students to examine submersibles and identify their main differences.

Learning outcomes

• Identify living things, habitats and environments
• Understand the scale and depth of the ocean
• Make accurate measurements
• Explain why ocean exploration is challenging for humans
• Describe how different submersibles make ocean exploration possible
• Identify significant ocean zones

Lesson steps

1. The deep sea (10 mins)
   Students study Diagram: Deep ocean poster and discuss why most life exists in the sunlight zone.
2. The depth of the ocean (20 mins)
   Students go into the playground (or school hall) to map out a scaled version of the deep ocean and locate significant markers.
3. Deep sea challenges (15 mins)
   Students discuss why deep ocean exploration is challenging for humans and observe different examples of submersibles.
4. Mapping ocean zones (15 mins)
   Students identify the deep ocean zones and add significant markers.

England

Science Key Stage 2

Living things and their habitats

• Identify and name a number of living things in the wider environment
• Recognise that environments can change

Working Scientifically

• Ask relevant questions and use different types of scientific enquiry
• Make systematic and careful observations
• Take accurate measurements using standard units and a range of equipment
• Record findings using simple scientific language, drawings and labelled diagrams

USA

• Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions
  5-PS2-1. Support an argument that the gravitational force exerted by Earth on objects is directed down.
  
  
• Engineering Design
  3-5-ETS1-1. Define a simple design problem reflecting a need or a want that includes specified criteria for success and constraints on materials, time, or cost.
  3-5-ETS1-2. Generate and compare multiple possible solutions to a problem based on how well each is likely to meet the criteria and constraints of the problem.
  3-5-ETS1-3. Plan and carry out fair tests in which variables are controlled and failure points are considered to identify aspects of a model or prototype that can be improved.