We have a variety of lesson options and hands-on lab activities. Below is a description of our program opportunities. If interested in scheduling a program, please use the registration form below. If you have any additional questions, you can email us at: education@maregroup.org
Dive into Deep-Sea Discovery with MARE!
Lessons for Grades 6-8
What students will learn:
- About MARE – Who we are and what we do.
- ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) – What they are and how they work.
- MARE’s Deep-Sea Research – How we use ROVs to study ocean habitats.
- Deep-Sea Ecosystems – Discover marine life in California’s Marine Protected Areas.
- Engineering at MARE – The science behind building and operating ROVs.
Lab Activity: ROV Exploration Stations – Hands-On Learning!
Students will rotate through hands-on ROV stations in small groups, investigating key design features and functions. They’ll collaborate to:
- Investigate how ROVs operate.
- Learn about the engineering process.
- Explore how this underwater technology functions.
Aligned with Education Standards:
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
- MS-ESS2-3, MS-ESS3-3 (Earth’s Systems)
- MS-ETS1-1, MS-ETS1-2 (Engineering Design)
Ocean Literacy Principles:
OLP 1: The Earth has one big ocean with many features.
OLP 3: The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.
OLP 5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
OLP 6: The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
OLP 7: The ocean is largely unexplored.
What students will learn:
- About MARE – Who we are and our mission.
- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – What they are and why they matter in California.
- ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) – How they help explore the deep sea.
- Deep-Sea Adaptations – Unique survival strategies of deep-sea creatures.
- Light in the Ocean – How it changes with depth and affects marine life.
- Color & Vision in the Deep – Why colors fade and how animals adapt (bioluminescence, red/black coloration).
Lab Activity: Deep Sea Detectives – Exploring Light & Color!
Students will investigate how light behaves underwater and its impact on deep-sea animals. Through hands-on experiments, they will:
- Observe how different wavelengths of light penetrate water.
- Record and analyze data on light absorption.
- Discover why deep-sea creatures have special colors and glowing abilities (bioluminescence).
Aligned with Education Standards:
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
- MS-LS1-4, MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-4 (Life Science – Adaptations & Ecosystems)
- MS-PS4-2 (Physical Science – Light & Waves)
- MS-ESS2-1 (Earth Science – Ocean Systems)
Ocean Literacy Principles:
OLP 1: The Earth has one big ocean with many features.
OLP 3: The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.
OLP 5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
OLP 6: The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
OLP 7: The ocean is largely unexplored.
What students will learn:
- About MARE – Who we are and our mission.
- ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) – How they help explore the deep sea.
- Conditions of the ocean zones – Pressure, temperature, and types of organisms living in each zone.
- Deep-Sea Adaptations – Unique survival strategies of deep-sea creatures.
Lab Activity: Crafting Ocean Zones – Mapping Marine Life and Environments
Students will create a visual representation of the different ocean zones, from the Sunlight zone to the Hadal zone. Through this interactive activity, they will:
- Research the ocean zones, their conditions, and the marine life found in each.
- Create a poster representing the ocean zones.
- Label and describe each ocean zone’s conditions.
- Place marine organisms in their correct habitats.
Aligned with Education Standards:
Next Generation Science Standards
- MS-LS2-2, MS-LS2-5 (Life Science – Ecosystems & Interactions)
- MS-ESS2-1, MS-ESS3-3 (Earth Science – Earth Systems & Human Impacts)
Ocean Literacy Principles
OLP 1: The Earth has one big ocean with many features.
OLP 2: The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth.
OLP 5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
OLP 6: The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
OLP 7: The ocean is largely unexplored.
Lessons for Grades 9-12
What students will learn:
- About MARE – Who we are and our mission.
- Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) – What they are and why they matter in California.
- ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) – How they help explore the deep sea.
- Deep-Sea Adaptations – Unique survival strategies of deep-sea creatures.
- Importance of Adaptations – Why animals adapt to their environments.
Lab Activity: Creating Creatures of the Abyss – Exploring Deep Sea Adaptations Through Art
Students will design and sculpt their own deep-sea organisms, applying knowledge of extreme ocean environments. Through this creative activity, they will:
- Investigate real deep-sea adaptations (bioluminescence, gigantism, pressure resistance).
- Design an original organism with survival traits for the abyss.
- Sculpt their creature using clay or recycled materials.
- Present and explain their organism’s adaptations to the class.
Aligned with Education Standards:
Next Generation Science Standards
- HS-LS1-2, HS-LS2-2, HS-LS2-6, HS-LS4-4, HS-LS4-5 (Life Science – From Cells to Ecosystems & Evolution)
- HS-ESS2-2 (Earth Science – Earth’s Systems & Processes)
- HS-ESS3-5 (Earth Science – Human Impacts & Sustainability)
Ocean Literacy Principles
OLP 1: The Earth has one big ocean with many features.
OLP 2: The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth.
OLP 5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
OLP 6: The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
OLP 7: The ocean is largely unexplored.
What students will learn:
- About MARE – Who we are and what we do.
- ROVs (Remotely Operated Vehicles) – What they are and how they work.
- MARE’s Deep-Sea Research – How we use ROVs to study ocean habitats.
- Deep-Sea Ecosystems – Discover marine life in California’s Marine Protected Areas.
- Engineering at MARE – The science behind building and operating ROVs.
Lab Activity: ROV Exploration Stations – Hands-On Learning!
Students will work in groups to explore different ROV technology stations. Each station focuses on a key aspect of ROV design and function. Through teamwork and problem-solving, students will:
- Investigate how ROVs operate.
- Discuss real-world challenges in underwater robotics.
- Think critically about engineering solutions.
Aligned with Education Standards:
Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):
- HS-LS4-4 (Biological Evolution)
- HS-LS4-5 (Evidence Synthesis)
- HS-ETS1-2 (Engineering Design)
Ocean Literacy Principles:
OLP 1: The Earth has one big ocean with many features.
OLP 2: The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth.
OLP 5: The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
OLP 6: The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
OLP 7: The ocean is largely unexplored.
Grades 6-12 Virtual Presentation Series
Join MARE’s expert deep-sea educators for a captivating 45-minute virtual adventure designed for students in grades 6–12. Explore the mysterious world of the deep ocean and meet the extraordinary creatures that call it home—from glowing bioluminescent fish to towering giant crabs. Discover the incredible adaptations that help these animals survive in one of the planet’s most extreme environments.
Students will also get a behind-the-scenes look at the cutting-edge science and engineering behind Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), the underwater robots that allow us to explore the ocean’s deepest depths. Each session is brought to life with stunning visuals, real-world research examples, and the unique opportunity to ask questions directly to one of MARE’s marine biologists.
Want to take it further?
Enhance the experience with an optional, hands-on activity! Perfect for classrooms, camps, or homeschool groups, these guided, curriculum-aligned activities extend the learning and bring deep-sea science to life in a fun and interactive way.
