Links
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1. Introduce the three ocean light zones.
Display the NOAA/National Weather Service Profile of the Ocean page. Tell students that there are different ways to describe the layers of the ocean. One way to classify the ocean is in zones. Point out the light zones, labeled in parentheses, in the diagram: The sunlight zone, the twilight zone, and the midnight zone. Ask: How do you think the ocean waters might vary from zone to zone? How do you think the animal life varies from zone to zone? Explain to students that the sunlight zone has enough light that it’s difficult for animals to conceal themselves. The twilight zone has light levels low enough that they allow animals to conceal themselves. And the midnight zone, which comprises 90% of the ocean, is dark.
2. Have students use sentence strips to learn about the different zones.
Invite a volunteer to cut up the sentence strips in the worksheet Ocean Zone Sentence Strips. Draw four horizontal lines on the board to represent the three light zones. Be sure to match the proportion of each zone to the diagram on the Profile of the Ocean page. Distribute the pre-cut strips to students at random. Have each student read their statement aloud and then come up to the board and tape it in the zone where they think it belongs. Ask the rest of the class to agree or disagree with the placement of each strip and state their reasoning. After all of the sentence strips are placed, ask the class to label the Mariana Trench in the most appropriate zone. They should label it at the bottom of the Midnight Zone. Check that students placed the sentence strips correctly. The sentences should be placed in the following zones:
- sunlight zone: 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 13, 15
- twilight zone: 4, 11, 14, 16
- midnight zone: 2, 6, 8, 10, 17, 18
3. Have students make predictions about deep-sea resources.
Remind students that the conditions seven miles below the ocean's surface include cold temperatures, darkness, and extreme pressure. Ask: What important resources might exist in the deep sea? Elicit responses such as: strange creatures, minerals, ingredients for medical use, and bioluminescent fish. List students’ ideas on the board.
4. Have students read about deep-sea resources and discuss their value to science and business.
Distribute the handout The Value of the Deep Sea and Its Resources. Have students read it independently. Discuss each resource from the handout using the following questions to guide the discussion:
- How are we able to access the resource? Explain.
- What is the real or potential value of the resource to society?
- How would extracting the resource impact the environment?
Subjects & Disciplines
- Biology
- Earth Science
- Geography
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- identify the three ocean light zones and what zone the Mariana Trench is in
- describe the conditions in each light zone
- make predictions about deep-sea resources
- identify deep-sea resources and describe their value to science and business
Teaching Approach
- Learning-for-use
Teaching Methods
- Discussions
- Hands-on learning
- Reading
- Visual instruction
Skills Summary
This activity targets the following skills:
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Critical Thinking Skills
- Analyzing
- Understanding
- Geographic Skills
Connections to National Standards, Principles, and Practices
National Geography Standards
- Standard 16: The changes that occur in the meaning, use, distribution, and importance of resources
National Science Education Standards
- (5-8) Standard C-4: Populations and ecosystems
What You’ll Need
Materials You Provide
- Pencils
- Pens
- Scissors
- Transparent tape
Required Technology
- Internet Access: Required
- Tech Setup: 1 computer per classroom, Projector
Physical Space
- Classroom
Grouping
- Large-group instruction
Other Notes
There are several ways to divide the ocean into zones and various names for the same zones.
Background Information
The ocean can be divided into three light zones, which vary in temperature, light, pressure, and habitat. In the deepest and darkest zone, the midnight zone, lies the ocean bottom and hydrothermal vents teaming with unique species and natural resources. Scientists, governments, and private companies are just beginning to explore what the deep sea has to offer.
Prior Knowledge
- None
Recommended Prior Activities
Vocabulary
deepest place on Earth, located in the South Pacific Ocean at 11,000 meters (36,198 feet) at its deepest.
zone of the open ocean, starting at about 914 meters (3,000 feet) deep. Also known as the bathypelagic or aphotic zone.
division of depth in the ocean, based on how much sunlight is received. There are five major ocean light zones, from shallowest to deepest: epipelagic, mesopelagic, bathypelagic, abyssopelagic, and hadalpelagic.
The upper zone of the ocean. This zone goes down to about 200 meters (660 feet). Also called the photic, euphotic, or epipelagic zone.
middle zone of the open ocean. On average, this zone extends from about 200 to 1,000 meters (660 to 3,300 feet) deep. Also known as the dysphotic or mesopelagic zone.
Websites
Partner
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Managing Resources
Individuals, communities, and countries depend on a variety of different resources to help them thrive: electricity, timber, oil, water, and food to name a few. Because these basic resources are such a large part of our daily lives, it is important that we manage them responsibly to ensure future generations have what they need. Human civilization heavily impacts the environment and the rich natural resources we depend on. All communities face the challenge of managing resources responsibly, not only for themselves, but for the sake of the world around them. Learn more about how individuals and communities can manage their resources to support themselves and the world around them.
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Marine Ecosystems
Marine ecosystems contain a diverse array of living organisms and abiotic processes. From massive marine mammals like whales to the tiny krill that form the bottom of the food chain, all life in the ocean is interconnected. While the ocean seems vast and unending, it is, in fact, finite; as the climate continues to change, we are learning more about those limits. Explore these resources to teach students about marine organisms, their relationship with one another, and with their environment.
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Deep-Sea Ecosystems: Extreme Living
Students discuss how they and other organisms adapt to survive in different environments. They discover the characteristics of deep-sea extremophiles that help those organisms survive in several deep-sea ecosystems.
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Distribution of Resources
Resources are vital to the existence of people. Familiarize students with the concept of resource distribution and encourage them to think about how people interact with limited resources.
-
Managing Resources
Individuals, communities, and countries depend on a variety of different resources to help them thrive: electricity, timber, oil, water, and food to name a few. Because these basic resources are such a large part of our daily lives, it is important that we manage them responsibly to ensure future generations have what they need. Human civilization heavily impacts the environment and the rich natural resources we depend on. All communities face the challenge of managing resources responsibly, not only for themselves, but for the sake of the world around them. Learn more about how individuals and communities can manage their resources to support themselves and the world around them.
-
Marine Ecosystems
Marine ecosystems contain a diverse array of living organisms and abiotic processes. From massive marine mammals like whales to the tiny krill that form the bottom of the food chain, all life in the ocean is interconnected. While the ocean seems vast and unending, it is, in fact, finite; as the climate continues to change, we are learning more about those limits. Explore these resources to teach students about marine organisms, their relationship with one another, and with their environment.
-
Deep-Sea Ecosystems: Extreme Living
Students discuss how they and other organisms adapt to survive in different environments. They discover the characteristics of deep-sea extremophiles that help those organisms survive in several deep-sea ecosystems.
-
Distribution of Resources
Resources are vital to the existence of people. Familiarize students with the concept of resource distribution and encourage them to think about how people interact with limited resources.