The projects have been developed with fifth grade students and teachers in mind based on Virginia Standards of Learning, but can be modified for other audiences. Teachers should feel free to modify the existing parameters to meet the needs of their classrooms.
Heavy emphasis is placed on utilizing available technology to complete individual projects.
Some of the Oceanographic topics included are Living Marine Resources, Deep Sea Technology and Careers, Marine and Aquatic Issues, and Marine Habitats. Students will become active learners and will be responsible for designing their own learning activities. By engaging in one individual and one group project, they develop independent work skills as well as benefitting from cooperative learning strategies. They are also instrumental in assessing their own work habits and final products by using the rubric to develop the final grade. By presenting their work to the class, they also develop their presentation skills, and other students benefit and learn from each other.