This article is about two online games from the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration that engage middle school students in costal and ocean ecosystems. This is a great resource for middle school students to use because it is in a game format and most middle schoolers enjoy games! The first game is called, “Where the River Meets the Sea.” In this game the students explore the estuary, they learn about habitat ecology and restoration, water pollution, and marine debris. A few positives of the game are; builds skills and raise their awareness of the importance of estuaries, water quality, tides, and local support to protect estuaries. Hopefully the by the end of the game the students will recognize the importance of estuaries, the threats they face and how students can help.
The second game in this series is called, “Sea Turtles and the Quest to Nest.” The objective of this game is to educate students about the hardships sea turtles endure to nest and survive. The game teaches about coastal habitat, food chain, and complex coastal issues that affect sea turtles, including human threats. The students will evaluate, explore, and engage in making decisions that increase their awareness and understanding of coastal and ocean issues.
Nicely done. Very helpful review for middle school science teachers. Good job with the hot link at the end.
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