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Grades 3-5

Dive-Into-Worlds-Within-the-Sea

Activity

Dive Into Worlds Within the Sea

Which squirmy little creatures does the spiny lobster eat? Can you spot the weird greenish glow on the belly of the cookie-cutter shark? Show off your good thinking with a game of good linking.

What-s-the-Big-Idea-About-Astronomy

Article

What's the Big Idea About Astronomy?

Huge distances, gigantic sizes, and long periods of time—astronomy is a BIG subject. We've brought learning about it down to size with this look at the big ideas you need to know. 

What-Do-You-Know-about-Astronomy

Activity

What Do You Know about Astronomy?

How much do you really know about our place in space? Test your astronomy knowledge with this interactive quiz. Don't worry, there's no grading—just a helpful look at the answers when you're done! 

Mint-Your-Own-Coin

Activity

Mint Your Own Coin

That change jangling in your pocket is more than money—it's a record of where and when you live. Find out why coins are valuable clues for archaeologists. Then, design your perfect coin. 

just add water 2_thumb

Activity

Just Add Water!

Give your class a tour of the diverse landscape of your own undersea realm!

water vs land_thumb

Activity

Water vs. Land

Brainstorm with your students a list of things that are possible in water that are not possible on land, and vice versa.

Crazy-Camouflage

Activity

Crazy Camouflage

Unlike humans, some animals can instantly change the color or pattern of their skin. Take a hands-on look at how the masters of disguise known as flounders can don several different looks.

be-an-ocean-biodiversity-detective_thumb

Classroom Activity

Be an Ocean Biodiversity Detective!

In this activity students will collect and closely observe specimens that have washed ashore to recognize different kinds of small ocean organisms.

They-Glow

Video

They Glow!

Most of the deep sea is very dark, with little or no sunlight. But that doesn't mean marine animals are in the dark! Learn how these clever creatures create their own light.

make-a-scale-drawin

Classroom Activity

Make a Scale Drawing

It’s time to excavate the contents of your desk—that is, after you first create a scale drawing of the site. Explore how precise mapping helps archaeologists keep track of their finds.