Careers in Marine Biology Teacher Resource Guide

Careers in Marine Biology
Teacher Resource Guide
Northwest Ohio
NWOET
Educational Technology
This resource was made possible by a grant from eTech Ohio and the State of Ohio.
Module Synopsis
• Do you have an interest in the ocean and all its
mysteries?
• Would you like to work with marine life and study
the ocean biome?
• Marine biology may be the field for you. As a
marine biologist or scientist you have many
options, ranging from studying the physical
properties of the sea and marine resources to
working directly with marine life.
“What Does a Marine Biologist/Scientist Do?”
Although many people today are familiar with
the term “marine biologist,” most don’t realize
that, in reality, the job title of marine biologist
rarely exists. The term is actually used for many
disciplines and jobs in the marine sciences which
deal with the study of marine life, not just for
those which deal with the physical properties of
the sea — though many biologists study both.
So a marine biologist might be a biological
technician, ichthyologist, fishery biologist, marine
mammalogist, microbiologist, systems analyst, or a
mathematician. Even economists and sociologists,
who deal with living marine resource issues, are
found within the so-called field of marine biology.
In addition, other marine scientists concern
themselves exclusively with the physical and
chemical aspects of the sea, such as physicists,
hydrologists, and physical oceanographers.
Taken from website:
http://swfsc.noaa.gov/textblock.aspx?id=54
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Terms
Biologist - A scientist who studies living
organisms.
Biome - …defined as “the world’s major
communities, classified according to the
predominant vegetation and characterized
by adaptations of organisms to that particular
environment” (Campbell 1996)
Marine biome - Marine regions cover about threefourths of the Earth’s surface and include oceans,
coral reefs, and estuaries. Marine algae supply
much of the world’s oxygen supply and take in a
huge amount of atmospheric carbon dioxide. The
evaporation of the seawater provides rainwater for
the land. Oceans, Coral reefs and estuaries are
part of this biome.
http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/exhibits/biomes/
marine.php
Marine biology – The scientific study of organisms
in the ocean or other marine or brackish bodies of
water. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marine_biology
Pre & Post Assessment
Correct answer is shown with a
RED Capital letter
1. Marine Biology careers are most likely to
involve
a. Snorkeling and surfing in tropical areas
B. Working with aquatic plants and animals
c. Training dolphins and other fish
d. Travel to areas other than Ohio
2. Course work at the bachelor’s degree level
is likely to include
a. Advanced calculus
B. Chemistry, biology and anatomy
c. Physics and physical education
d. Both a and b
3. Freshmen and sophomore college students
working in a marine biology lab
A.Often are allowed to feed and care for animals
b. Rarely are allowed to work with fish and animals
c. Learn dissection and use of scuba gear
d. Always must work in teams of two, for safety
4. At the bachelor’s level, your college degree
may include a ______ in marine biology
a. License
b. Certificate
C. Specialization
d. Master’s
5. Additional career opportunities and increased pay are often possible with a
___ in marine biology
a. License
b. Certificate
c. Specialization
D. Master’s
6. If you were to study a dolphin, that is likely
to include
a. Behavior
b. Cognition
c. Husbandry requirements
D. All the above
7. While ‘on the job’, most marine biologists
rarely need to
a. Go in the water
B. Follow strict clothing guidelines
c. Take additional course work / continuing education classes
d. Use good communication skills
8. Hands-on experience in marine biology may
often be gained through
a. Working at pet stores
b. Working at a zoo
c. Participating in summer internships and field classes
D. All the above
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Activity 1
Build an Underwater Viewer
Found at: http://www.earthskids.com/ek_science-marine.htm
You can use an empty coffee can or large size plastic yogurt container to create this classic tool for outdoor
pond or creek exploration. Cut the end off the container (use a can opener on the metal coffee can). If you
wish, cover the rough ends with duct tape where cut . You now have a waterproof tube.
Next, cover one end of the tube with sturdy plastic and fix it in place with a large rubber band, such as the
one that binds your Sunday newspaper. If you don’t take the paper, ask a neighbor for one or pick some
up at a craft store. A piece of thin elastic may also be used.
To use your viewer, place the plastic covered end into the water and submerge the viewer part way. As the
water presses on the plastic it’s shape changes from flat to concave, creating natural magnification.
Portable Viewing Tank Save those small clear salad containers that come from the deli department and reuse them as portable
viewing tanks. These are wonderful for dipping in ponds, creeks, and tide pools — and for keeping small
water creatures for temporary viewing. Small fish, tadpoles, crabs, and crayfish are wonderful to observe
up close. And a clear container affords a view from all sides of your small guest!
Observation Bucket
Another great clear portable viewing container can be made from an empty soda pop bottle. See directions
for this Observation Bucket from Family Fun website at: http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/crafts-by-type/
animal-bug-crafts/animal-themed-crafts/sea-crafts/observation-bucket-848319/.
NOTE: Always treat the creatures you capture gently, and always put them back where you found them
before you leave their habitat. This keeps them safe, makes sure there will be plenty for future visitors to
the habitat to see, and it practices the important values of compassion and good stewardship.
Activity 2
This activity is a simulation of Shark fishing from PBS website.
Marine Fisheries and Aquaculture: Sharks in Decline:
http://www.pbs.org/emptyoceans/educators/activities/sharks-in-decline.html
Overview
Carry out group simulations of common fishing methods and assess why these methods and sharks’
reproductive biology are together contributing to a rapid decline in shark populations.
Objectives
• Describe several methods by which sharks are captured.
• Discuss some of the advantages and disadvantages of each method.
• (Activity handouts and answer sheets are provided.)
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Careers in Marine Biology
Activity 3
Marine biology: Is this career for me?
Summarizing information regarding Careers in Marine Biology
Read the questions and answers found at the following website:
SOME COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT A MARINE BIOLOGY CAREER
http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/mycareer.html
Read the information from the following website:
So you want to become a Marine Biologist?
http://www.touchthesea.org/be%20a%20marine.htm
Objectives
• List the job responsibilities, education needed and income found on these sites.
• Summarize the benefits of this career.
• State your opinion of this type of career.
• Cite your references including source, author and date of publication.
Common Core Standards
• Writing Standards for Literacy in History/Social Studies, Science, and Technical Subjects
• Write arguments focused on discipline-specific content. WHST.6-8.1
• Introduce claim(s) about a topic or issue, acknowledge and distinguish the claim(s) from alternate or
opposing claims, and organize the reasons and evidence logically. WHST.6-8.1a
• Write informative/explanatory texts, including the narration of historical events, scientific procedures/
experiments, or technical processes. WHST.6-8.2
• Use precise language and domain-specific vocabulary to inform about or explain the topic.
WHST.6-8.2.d
• Reading Standards for Literacy in Science and Technical Subjects 6–12
• Craft and Structure - RST.6-8.4
• Determine the meaning of symbols, key terms, and other domain-specific words and phrases as they
are used in a specific scientific or technical context relevant to grades 6–8 texts and topics.
• Integration of knowledge and ideas - RST.6-8.9
• Compare and contrast the information gained from experiments, simulations, video, or multimedia
sources with that gained from reading a text on the same topic.
• Key Ideas and Details - RST.6-8.3
• Follow precisely a multistep procedure when carrying out experiments, taking measurements, or
performing technical tasks.
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Resources:
Glossary of Marine Biology:
http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/glossary.html
Resources:
MarineBio Conservation Society website
http://marinebio.org/marinebio/games/:
Marine Biology Education Resources and Career information
Actuaries Institute
Discover the Ocean Biome within a Marine Institute:
http://www.streetworkers.org/273-discover-the-ocean-biome-within-a-marine-institute.html
Bioscience Careers
http://www.aboutbioscience.org/careers/marinebiologist
Learn about job descriptions, salary ranges, educational requirements and places where you can find even
more information.Select profiles are accompanied by a short video and a teacher guide with K–12 classroom
activities.
Birch Aquarium at SCRIPPS Institution of Oceanography
http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/Education/Learning_Resources/So_You_Would_Like_To_Be_A_Marine_Biologist/
Bureau of Labor Statistics : Biochemist and Biophysicist
http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos047.htm
Careers in Marine Biology: Resources from Stanford University
http://hopkins.stanford.edu/careers.htm
Stanford University site with career information and links.
Earth Kids - Oceans and Marine Life Science
http://www.earthskids.com/ek_science-marine.htm
Educational and support resources for parents, teachers and kids
MarineBio
http://marinebio.org/marinebio/careers/
Marine Biology Education Resources specific references to higher education degree searches.
Marine Biology terms:Quizlet
http://quizlet.com/555522/marine-biology-terms-flash-cards/
Marine Biology Web- An Educational Resource
MBWEB is an educational resource for marine biology students with reference lists organized by subject.
Many other links are here including links to marine stations, tide information, recommended books and lots
more! http://life.bio.sunysb.edu/marinebio/mbweb.html/
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Under The Sea
So you want to become a marine biologist?
http://www.touchthesea.org/be%20a%20marine.htm
Interview with a Marine Biologist, including frequently asked questions.
Lesson Plans
BRIDGE: Teacher approved resources
The Bridge is sponsored by NOAA Sea Grant and the National Marine Educators Association
http://www2.vims.edu/bridge/search/bridge1output_menu.cfm?q=lesson&Audience=school
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