Course Description: Aquatic Science is an upper level, yearlong science course. Students study a variety of topics that include: components of an aquatic ecosystem; relationships among aquatic habitats and ecosystems; roles of cycles within an aquatic environment; adaptations of organisms; changes within aquatic environments; geological phenomena and fluid dynamics effects; and origin and use of water in a watershed.
Course Goals: Students will gain an overall understanding of aquatic ecosystems including saltwater and freshwater ecosystems and the flora and fauna found in them. They will also learn about the geological formations that form the Earth’s oceans & rivers, and the effect these bodies of water have on weather. Students will also acquire the necessary skills, responsibilities and knowledge to be good stewards of freshwater and marine environments.
6 weeks at a glance: Aquatic Science Outline for the Year 2017-2018
Unit 1: Lab Safety and Scientific Thinking
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1st 6 weeks
2nd 6 weeks
3rd 6 weeks
4th 6 weeks
5th 6 weeks
6th 6 weeks
Dissections will be included
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1. Lab Safety
2. Scientific Method
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Unit 2: Careers and History of Aquatic Science
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1. Careers of Aquatic Science
2. History of Aquatic Science
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Unit 3: Introduction to Water
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3. Intro to Aqua Sci
4. The Water Cycle
5. Properties of Water
6. Water Resources
7. Water Distribution
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Unit 4: Water Chemistry
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1. pH
2. Water Hardness
3. Dissolved Gasses
4. Plant Nutrients
5. Turbidity
6. Stream Flow
7. Aquariums in the classroom
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Unit 5: Water Quality (Pollution)
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1. Aquatic Ecosystems
2. Watersheds
3. Impact of Humans
4. Laws and Policies
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Unit 6: Water Quantity and Conservation
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1. Aquatic Ecosystems
2. Groundwater Systems
3. Streams and Rivers
4. Lakes and Ponds
5. Wetlands
6. Bays and Estuaries
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Unit 7: Winds and Currents
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1. Weather
2. Climate
3. Waves
4. Tides
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Unit 8: Water Physics
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1. Pressure
2. Buoyancy
3. Light
4. Sound
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Unit 9: Ocean Geology
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1. Ocean Floor
2. Plate Tectonics
3. Volcanoes
4. Comparison of Oceans
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Unit 10: Freshwater Ecoystems and Aquatic Ecology
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1. Aquatic Environments
2. Interrelationships and Interdependence
3. Flow of Energy
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Unit 11: Freshwater and Coastal Wetlands
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1. Aquatic Life
2. Coast, Islands, and Beaches
3. Sandy Beach Ecosystem and Organisms
4. Shallow Seas Plants and Organisms
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Unit 12: Open Oceans and Organisms
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1. Pelagic Fishes
2. Sharks
3. Aquatic Mammals
4. Polar Oceans
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Note: Subject to change and revisions as teacher sees fit based on student population and their needs.
NECESSARY Materials: Grading categories:
1.) 3 ring binder to organize all notes and handouts 10% In class/Homework Assignments
2.) dividers (notes, daily work, quizzes, labs) 30% Labs and Quizzes
3.) paper 60% Tests, projects and big lab reports
4.) pencil and pen every day.