This collection of virtual field trip videos and accompanying activity guides brings ecology to the classroom, covering topics including oysters, wetlands, bay biodiversity, microscopic ecosystems, and plankton.
Each activity guide features a virtual lab, a craft, a conversation with a biologist, and an activity for the week, designed to replicate the hands-on experiences students would have during an in-person field trip to Galveston Bay.
Although these virtual field trips are especially well-suited for teachers in the Gulf Coast area who want to connect students to their local estuary, they are also recommended to any classroom studying coastal ecosystems.
Ask students to engage in the conservation craft or activity of the week (e.g., reusing plastic bottles to make wind spirals) at home in collaboration with their families.
For high school or advanced students, use the extension activities and lessons in this Google Drive folder.
The student worksheets are also available in Spanish.
Preparation:
For the conservation crafts, collect necessary recycled materials (bottles, food packaging, fabric, etc.) ahead of time.
While the focus of the virtual field trips is on ecology and not climate change, climate change can deeply affect ecological processes and relationships; for example, rising CO₂ levels cause ocean acidification, which limits oysters' ability to build their shells.
The wetlands virtual field trip mentions climate change and highlights carbon sequestration as a key function of wetlands.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.
