Hot Spots
Letter From the Pres
Donations
Contact Us
Newsletter
Site Map

The Sonoran Sea Aquarium began its education mission shortly after its inception. While still in its facility development phase, the Sonoran Sea Aquarium has been providing marine education to school children in the Tucson area since 1989. Education about biodiversity and sustainability is the focal point of the Aquarium's outreach efforts. The overwhelming on-going success of its Education and Outreach Program is a constant reminder of the need for and want of marine education in the region.

El Acuario del Mar de Sonora comenzó su misión de educación poco después de su comienzo. Aunque todavía se encuentra en su fase de desarrollo de la facilidad, el Acuario del Mar de Sonora ha estado proporcionando educación marina a niños en escuelas del área de Tucson desde 1989. La educación acerca de la biodiversidad y sostenibilidad es el punto focal de los esfuerzos de alcance del Acuario. El éxito abrumador que sigue teniendo el Programa de Educación y Alcance es un recordatorio constante de la necesidad y deseo de la educación marina en la región.

Website Design &
Hosting provided by
Specialty Enterprises.

DESERT WATERS
Outline of Instruction/Presentation

The following course outline indicates how The Desert Waters curriculum supports the Arizona Academic Standards for grades (K-8). Each (55) minute period includes approximately (25) minutes of direct instruction, questions and connections and (30) minutes of hands-on learning and activities.

The Desert Waters curriculum can also be augmented with a connecting craft or assignment. For example, this outline includes the “Fish Stick” activity which is age appropriate through 4th grade.

I.   Introduction.
  A. We are from the Sonoran Sea Aquarium in Tucson, Arizona.
  B. What is an aquarium? Why build one? “Science generates knowledge”.
  C. We live in the Sonoran Desert (Globe & Map used as visuals) which includes the Gulf of California or Sea of Cortez. (Here is __________ on the map)
  D. Many of the items we’ve brought today are from the Gulf. After a brief explanation you will be able to examine, hold, feel, smell and even listen to these exhibits.
  E. What are some good rules for being safe and protecting the exhibits?
     
SC(K-8)-S2C2 Understand how science is a process for generating knowledge.
SS(K-8)-S4C5 Environment and Society.
SS(K-8)-S4C1 Geography; The World in Spatial Terms.
SS(K-8)-S4C2 Geography; Places and Regions.
SC(K-8)-S1C201 Demonstrate safe behavior and appropriate procedures.
   
II.  Arizona’s Rivers to Mexico’s Gulf of California.
  A. Arizona’s major rivers. (Then and Now)
  B. Native Fishes (chart).
  C. Native Fishes Activity (match native/non-native species).
  D. Pollution Problem (cut-away exhibit of polluted pond).
  E. How is ocean different? Salty (35/00) cannot drink it!
     
SC(K-8)-S3C1 Describe the interactions between human populations, natural hazards and the environment.
SS(K-8)-S1C2 American History; Early Civilizations.
SC(K-4)-S1C3 Organize and analyze data; compare to predictions.
SC(5-8)-S1C3 Analyze and interpret data to explain correlations and results;
Formulate new questions.
    
IIl.  Echinoderms.
  A. Sea Stars, Sand Dollars, Urchins
    1. What do you already know? We prefer “Sea Star”. Why?
    2. How many arms (typically)? Colors?
    3. Regeneration (like desert lizard tails).
  B. Examine underside with magnifying class, try to figure out how it moves and eats.
     
SC(K-4)-S1C1 Observe, ask questions, and make predictions.
SC(5-8)-S1C1 Formulate predictions, questions or hypotheses based on observations. Locate appropriate resources.
SC(K-4)-S4C1 Understand that basic structures in plants and animals serve a function.
SC(5-8)-S4C1 Understand the relationship between structures and functions of organisms.
SC(K-8)-S4C4 Diversity, Adaptations and Behavior.
   
IV.  Gastropods.
  A. Means; Stomach-Foot
  B. How are shells made? Compare rice size snail shell and large Conch.
  C. Shells as ‘condos’ for other species. (crabs live in discarded shells).
  D. Compare to use of a Saguaro Boot (Gila Woodpecker makes it, others use)
     
SC(K-4)-S1C1 Observe, ask questions, and make predictions.
SC(5-8)-S1C1 Formulate predictions, questions or hypotheses based on observations. Locate appropriate resources.
SC(K-4)-S4C1 Understand that basic structures in plants and animals serve a function.
SC(5-8)-S4C1 Understand the relationship between structures and functions of organisms.
SC(K-8)-S4C4 Diversity, Adaptations and Behavior.
   
V.  Mollusks.
  A. Bi-Valves like Bicycles.
  B. Clams, Oysters, Muscles & Scallops.
  C. Matching Activity. Find two sides of same Bi-Valve.
     
SC(K-4)-S1C1 Observe, ask questions, and make predictions.
SC(5-8)-S1C1 Formulate predictions, questions or hypotheses based on observations. Locate appropriate resources.
SC(K-4)-S4C1 Understand that basic structures in plants and animals serve a function.
SC(5-8)-S4C1 Understand the relationship between structures and functions of organisms.
SC(K-8)-S4C4 Diversity, Adaptations and Behavior.
   
Vl.  Cnidarians.
  A. Radial Symmetry.
  B. Anemones (Nemo’s home!), Corals and Jelly Fish.
  C. Brain Coral, examine tiny holes with magnifying class. Compare to picture.
  D. Sea Fans REALLY are animals not plants!
     
SC(K-4)-S1C1 Observe, ask questions, and make predictions.
SC(5-8)-S1C1 Formulate predictions, questions or hypotheses based on observations. Locate appropriate resources.
SC(K-4)-S4C1 Understand that basic structures in plants and animals serve a function.
SC(5-8)-S4C1 Understand the relationship between structures and functions of organisms.
SC(K-8)-S4C4 Diversity, Adaptations and Behavior.
   
Vll.  Sand Search & Beachcomber Activities.
  A. Use magnifying glass to find tiny “whole” shells in the beach Sand.
  B. Examine typical items that wash up on a beach with the waves and tide. Compare to selected photos.
     
SC(K-4)-S1C1 Observe, ask questions, and make predictions.
SC(5-8)-S1C1 Formulate predictions, questions or hypotheses based on observations. Locate appropriate resources.
   
Vlll.  Fish and Sharks.
  A. Backbones (Vertebrates) Feel yours!
  B. Gills instead of lungs.
  C. Survival; speed, strength, camouflage, schooling. (ADAPTATIONS)
  D. Sharks are cartilaginous (like our nose and ears).
     
SC(K-4)-S1C1 Observe, ask questions, and make predictions.
SC(5-8)-S1C1 Formulate predictions, questions or hypotheses based on observations. Locate appropriate resources.
SC(K-4)-S4C1 Understand that basic structures in plants and animals serve a function.
SC(5-8)-S4C1 Understand the relationship between structures and functions of organisms.
SC(K-8)-S4C4 Diversity, Adaptations and Behavior.
   
lX.  Reptiles.
  A. What reptiles live in the desert?
  B. Sea Turtles, examine Loggerhead skull.
  C. Lay eggs on shore, live in the sea.
     
SC(K-4)-S1C1 Observe, ask questions, and make predictions.
SC(5-8)-S1C1 Formulate predictions, questions or hypotheses based on observations. Locate appropriate resources.
SC(K-8)-S4C4 Diversity, Adaptations and Behavior.
   
X.  Mammals.
  A. What mammals do you know?
  B. What are the characteristics of mammals?
  C. What mammals live in the sea? (Whales, dolphins, Sea Lions, otters etc)
  D. Size; compare whale rib bone to tallest student in the class.
     
SC(K-4)-S1C1 Observe, ask questions, and make predictions.
SC(5-8)-S1C1 Formulate predictions, questions or hypotheses based on observations. Locate appropriate resources.
SC(K-4)-S4C1 Understand that basic structures in plants and animals serve a function.
SC(5-8)-S4C1 Understand the relationship between structures and functions of organisms.
SC(K-8)-S4C4 Diversity, Adaptations and Behavior.
   
Xl.  Sands From Around the World.
  A. What is sand? Is it soil? Why is it different on different beaches?
  B. Compare sands from around the world; examine, shake.
  C. Find sand location on the globe.
     
SC(K-4)-S1C1 Observe, ask questions, and make predictions.
SC(5-8)-S1C1 Formulate predictions, questions or hypotheses based on observations. Locate appropriate resources.
SS(K-8)-S4C1 Geography; The World in Spatial Terms.
SS(K-8)-S4C2 Geography; Places and Regions.
   
Xll.  Fish Stick Activity.
  A. Examine the model.
  B. Use scissors and glue to create your own unique fish from supplies provided. Remember what a fish needs to swim and turn.
     
SC(K-4)-S1C1 Observations, Questions, and Hypotheses.
A(K-8)-S1C2 Art; Use Materials, Tools and Techniques.
A(K-8)-S1C3 Art; Use Elements of Art and Principles of Design.
   
Xlll.  Summation.
  A. Tell me something you learned today.
  B. Lets review some key things.
  C. You can write us a letter about what you learned or draw a picture about your favorite part of today’s lesson about the Sonoran Desert and the Gulf of California.
     
SC(K-8)-S1C4 Communicate results of investigations.
W(K-8)-S3C3 Functional Writing (Friendly letters)