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Aquaculture Lesson (MS/HS) – 2. Ocean Chemistry

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Lesson Description:

Kelp aquaculture is a new and growing industry in Maine. Because kelp is a macroalgae, it requires different growing conditions than shellfish or finfish. Many kelp aquaculturists start growing kelp in a laboratory setting and set out the seeds in the fall. Over the winter, the kelp grows and is ready to harvest in early spring. Kelp is unique in that it absorbs nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and carbon dioxide (CO2), all of which are harmful to the environment in excess amounts. Once the kelp is … view full description & alignments

Aquaculture Lesson (MS/HS) – 1. Oceanography 101

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Lesson Description: Oceanography is a broad field focused on the interconnections between geology, geography, geophysics, physics, chemistry, geochemistry, mathematics, meteorology, botany, and zoology. Because the field is so large, it has been broken down into a number of sub-disciplines. Through this lesson, students will gain a better understanding of the physical structure of the Gulf of Maine (GoM) including the unique semi-enclosed shape of the Gulf, freshwater input, currents, tidal action, and water temperature.

The final product of this lesson will be a diagram modeling the many elements that make the GoM … view full description & alignments

Aquaculture Lesson (MS/HS) – 4. Seaweed vs Plants

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Lesson Description: Seaweeds have been harvested and used throughout the world for centuries and are highly valued in many countries today.  The U.S. is just now discovering the many health benefits seaweeds provide and there is a shift towards kelp aquaculture. But what are seaweeds? Are they water plants or a species of their own? How are seaweeds used in today’s society? In this lesson, students will investigate these questions. To begin the lesson, the teacher will introduce the differences between seaweeds and land plants, followed by a microscope lab exercise where … view full description & alignments

Aquaculture Lesson (MS/HS) – 3. Marine Ecosystems

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Lesson Description: Students will gain a better understanding of the intricacies within the Gulf of Maine marine ecosystem after completing this lesson.  A classic example of how small changes can affect an entire ecosystem is the sea urchin-kelp story in Maine. Following the collapse of the cod fishery in Maine, green sea urchin populations exploded. The ecosystem became an urchin-dominated system. In the 1980s, fishermen discovered the high value of harvesting sea urchins and the aggressive overharvesting of the green sea urchin resulted in massive declines along the coast.  Because urchins are grazers … view full description & alignments

Aquaculture Lesson (MS/HS) – 6. Husbandry 101

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Lesson Description: Husbandry is the care, cultivation and breeding of animals and plants, which is usually one of the first things you think about when starting an aquaculture business.  When paired with strong financial management and sales and marketing, husbandry is part of a successful aquaculture business.  Simply put, as a farmer, your goal is to keep your animals (or plants) at optimum health that will lead to a profitable harvest.… view full description & alignments

Aquaculture Lesson (MS/HS) – 5. Geography of Aquaculture

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Lesson Description: Aquaculture is not a new technology. Sea vegetables, fish, and shellfish have been grown for hundreds, even thousands, of years throughout the world. China and Japan are examples of countries that have used and relied upon aquaculture for generations. This lesson will first focus on the history and origins of aquaculture followed by a geography exercise where students will locate and identify different countries that use aquaculture on a regular basis. Students will then locate and identify local aquaculture businesses along the coast of Maine using maps or charts. The … view full description & alignments

Johnny Appleseed Would Be Proud

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Brief Description: Students will be able to diagnose and develop an action plan for control of an apple disease using their resources. Apple diseases will be discussed and students will be able to use the internet, articles and pictures to identify the disease. Using Integrated Pest Management methods they will create outlines and visual aids to present to the class.

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Hygiene for Horror

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Brief Description:  Students will understand cause and effect as well as comparing and contrasting in this lesson and by the end will be able to draw conclusions. Students will learn what contributes to the spread of infectious disease and how pest management can control the spread of infectious disease.

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Soil Is Not Trivial

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Brief Description:  Using facts about the Dust Bowl, students write questions and playa trivia activity focused around the establishment of a national soil conservation program and the importance of soil. Students then explore and/or develop a plan to address a local soil conservation issue.

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