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OCEAN EDUCATION RESOURCES

Upcoming LIVE Webinars & Streaming Events

MAY 27, 2020 (11:00-11:45 AM MDT) - The Shocking Lives of Rays with Dr. Laura Ekstrom
Most of us have heard that sharks and rays can sense electricity, but did you know that some of them can make it, too?! The electric rays are a group of ~70 species that all possess large electric organs in their pectoral fins. These electric organs can be used in defense against predators or for use in capturing and killing their prey. A shock from one of the larger Torpedo rays can even be fatal for unaware divers. During this presentation, Dr. Laura Ekstrom (an OFI Advisory Board Member) will share all about how they make their electricity, how they use it, and where you can find these truly amazing animals! Register with the link above or follow on Facebook @oceanfirstinstitute1 to join.
June 3, 2020 (11:00-11:45 AM MDT) - Fish Sex: It's weirder than you think, and why that matters - Webinar with Dr. Marah J. Hardt
Join Dr. Marah J. Hardt for an engaging romp beneath the waves to explore the wild and wondrous ways animals get down to business in the sea. From sex-change to some powerful love potions, the strategies marine life uses beneath the waves looks nothing like what we see on land. This talk will showcase why sex in the sea is truly fascinating, and why understanding these behaviors matters for the future health of our oceans, and us. Register with the link above or follow on Facebook @oceanfirstinstitute1 to join.
Upcoming Live Webinars & Streaming May 18-29th - a list of upcoming live events by OFI and our friends at other environmental organizations
More live events to be scheduled soon

Hands-On Ocean Activities

Make your own stony coral polyp with food - (2nd-6th) Learn about coral anatomy and practice your building/culinary skills!
Sea level rise experiment with DIY playdoh (Part 1) - (4th-6th) Make your own playdoh as we prep for a sea level rise experiment!
Sea level rise experiment (Part 2) - (4th-6th) Test your hypothesis (sea ice vs. land ice) with some ice, playdoh, and fun in this sea level rise experiment.
Polar bear adaptations activities - (2nd-5th) In these icy activities, learn about polar bear adaptations that allow them to survive in the Arctic cold!
Polar bear camouflage game - (K-5th) Test your artistic skills in this camouflage game (great for all ages)!
Neutral buoyancy activity - (Middle School) Learn the challenges of achieving neutral buoyancy in underwater exploration!
Ocean currents experiment - (Middle School) Learn about how ocean currents form with an easy at-home experiment!
Feasting Fish game - (3rd-5th) Discover how coral reef residents adapt to competitive environments in this game!
Go Fish activity - (Middle School) Test your "fishing" skills and learn about the effects of unsustainable fishing practices on wild fish populations.
Why Don't Sharks Sink? - Learn how sharks achieve neutral buoyancy!
At-Home Ocean Activities - a list of at-home ocean activities by OFI and our friends at other environmental organizations
More activities coming soon!

Webinar Recordings and Supplemental Materials

Mysteries of Megalodon - (57 min.) All ages
Join shark biologist Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza and Paleoartist Gary Staab as they share the fascinating story of the Megalodon shark. Gary Staab is the creator of the world’s most scientifically accurate 52-foot Megalodon now on display at the Smithsonian Institute in Washington, D.C.
Mysteries of Megalodon Webinar Resources (additional online resources for all ages and activities for grades 4th-8th)
Sharks and Their Amazing Adaptations Webinar with Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza - (27 min.) All ages
This lesson is led by world renowned shark expert Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza, and will take your students on a journey to discover some of the over 500 different shark species and to learn about their marvelous adaptations.
Why Do Hammerhead Sharks Have the Weird Head Shape? Webinar with Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza - (27 min.) 4th and up
Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza will discuss her latest research on hammerhead sharks and explain how having the weird head may be a very good thing!
Can sharks really smell a drop of blood a mile away? Webinar with Dr. Tricia Meredith - (49 min.) Middle school and up
Dr. Tricia Meredith will help us move beyond shark myths to tackle the real science behind one of the sharks’ most famous senses: the sense of smell.
Shark Olfactory System Resources (additional online resources for all ages and an activity for elementary students)
How Studying Marine Biology Can Improve the World: Observing Nature for Bio-Inspired Design - Webinar with Dr. Misty Paig-Tran - (49 min.) Middle school and up
Dr. Misty Paig-Tran will discuss how her research on animal performance in aquatic organisms translates into bio-inspired designs such as non-clogging, high efficiency filters based on manta ray gills and nearly impenetrable armor inspired by tiny fishes in the Amazon that can withstand piranha bites.
Go Noodle, Skype, and Ocean First Institute World Oceans Day Live Broadcast - (20 min.)
From a new rendition of 'Baby Shark' and an amazing interview with shark expert, Dr. Mikki, it was a virtual field trip for the books. In case you missed the live event, check out the the recording above. Perfect for a school adventure or at-home activity!
Great White Shark LIVE Webinar from CSULB Shark Lab and Ocean First Institute - (33 min.)
Hosted by great white shark researcher Dr. Chris Lowe, this webinar features Dr. McComb-Kobza sharing her discoveries from her trip to observe great white sharks LIVE underwater near the island of Isla Guadalupe, 150 miles west off the Baja Peninsula in the Pacific Ocean.
Blue Ocean Summit Interview with Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza - (48 min.)
Learn about the importance of our connection to the ocean from our Executive Director, Dr. Mikki McComb Kobza.
World Oceans Day Virtual Field Trip with Skype in the Classroom and Ocean First Institute - (28 min.)
On World Oceans Day 2017 Skype in the Classroom hosted Dr. Mikki McComb-Kobza from Ocean First Institute and Aquanauts from Aquarius Reef Base for a virtual field trip to celebrate ocean exploration and discovery.
The Story of the Sea Turtle (22 min.)
Recorded Webinars & Videos - a list of recorded webinars by OFI and our friends at other ocean conservation and education organizations