Understanding Hypoxia: Dead Zones on the Pacific Coast

Positives

• It ends on a hopeful note, provides solutions, and promotes informing the public about healthy ocean ecosystems.
  
• The video is sectioned out into four chapters in the description.
• It illustrates collaboration between Indigenous communities and scientists to work together in solving environmental problems that affect everyone.
  

Additional Prerequisites

• Some of the visuals of dead fish may be upsetting to some students. A social-emotional student check-in may be appropriate after the video.

Differentiation

• Students in science classes can do further research into hypoxia, dead zones, and eutrophication and locate areas where it is most prevalent. This would tie into lessons about decomposition, cellular respiration, ecosystems, limiting nutrients, or algal blooms.
  
• Students can create a visual diagram to explain how hypoxia occurs, using examples from the video or from related coursework.
• Students in language arts classes can write persuasive writing from the perspective of local fish markets or members of the Quinault tribe to encourage actions that will help protect coastal environments.
• Students in social studies classes can map out the various stakeholders impacted by hypoxia and label their concerns. They can follow up by identifying current legislation or local organizations focused on addressing these issues.