Education
Engaging students and teachers in innovative marine science learning programs
Delaware Sea Grant is committed to educating the public and K-12 students about the role of marine resources in our communities and encouraging environmental stewardship. Through a combination of traditional in-classroom lesson plans, innovative teacher development workshops, hands-on student activities, and environmental multimedia, our education efforts ensure that the next generation recognizes the economic, social, and environmental value of the ocean.
K-12 Programming
Education programs for students
The University of Delaware's Hugh R. Sharp campus in Lewes is home to a 2-megawatt wind turbine, a research fleet, and numerous advanced oceanography laboratories, plus easy access to the Delaware Bay and ocean beaches. Programs in Lewes take advantage of these resources to give students a hands-on introduction to topics ranging from wind power to marine life to conducting science at sea.
Boy Scout Oceanography Merit Badge
Over 140 Boy Scouts have participated in Delaware's only certified Oceanography Merit Badge program. This four-hour program includes interactive presentations, measuring water quality, sampling and observing plankton, exploring a mini-oyster reef habitat, and a tour of the University of Delaware's Hugh R. Sharp marine campus
Chesapeake Bay Bowl
Delaware Sea Grant and the University of Delaware host the Chesapeake Bay Bowl, the mid-Atlantic regional competition of the National Ocean Sciences Bowl. More information about the competition can be found here.
For more information on any of DESG's K-12 programming offerings, contact education specialist David Christopher.
Teacher development
Delaware Sea Grant offers teacher professional development both at UD's Lewes Campus and virtually. DESG can also create professional development tools specifically for schools and organizations which can be offered on-site.
Many of our workshops are free for educators to attend. For more information about workshops, contact David Christopher.
EducationAL resources
Multimedia and classroom activities
Video series
Delaware Sea Grant's video content features topics, issues, and events relevant to Delaware’s marine research, resources, and education. Check out our YouTube channel for more
Games and coloring pages
Learn more about Delaware marine life and ecosystems with our coloring pages, word search, and crossword puzzle, which provide a fun activity and great learning opportunity for the entire family.
Educational publications
To order items listed below, email Ingrid Miller at ingridm@udel.edu with details about your request. Shipping charges may apply to your purchase.
This life-sized 3-D paper model can be assembled with tape in approximately 15 minutes - a great activity for 4th graders and up. Includes background information on the horseshoe crab and a crossword puzzle to test readers' knowledge.
This full-color 3-D model can be assembled with tape in approximately 15 minutes and is a great way to learn more about the most common shark species on the U.S. East Coast.
Full-color, six-page publication reviews this unique seashore animal’s biology, medical uses, and population trends.
Each bookmark includes a full-color image in the shape of a critter — a blue crab, summer flounder, great blue heron, horseshoe crab, or red knot - with information on the backside. A surfboard, which reminds swimmers to be aware of rip currents, and a wind turbine, which highlights the 2-megawatt turbine on University of Delaware's Lewes campus, round out the 6-bookmark collection.
This website provides a glimpse into the fascinating world of zooplankton with information on their ecology, diversity, and current research in the mid-Atlantic region. Also included are resources for students and educators to aid in your collection and identification of local zooplankton, explore images of zooplankton with a magnifying glass, and lesson plans for using these tools to learn biology concepts.
Lesson Plans and Other Resources for Educators
Delaware Sea Grant’s education specialists collaborate with faculty from the University of Delaware College of Earth, Ocean and Environment to create lesson plans, websites, and activities, both virtual and in-person, that help educators in classrooms and beyond reach their students with the latest science. Below is a collection of resources educators can use in formal and informal settings.
Since the first wind-powered generator was invented in 1888, humans have been creating and installing more efficient wind turbines all over the world. Wind farms are composed of many wind turbines, connected together and oriented so they maximize their electricity output. These lessons explore some of the mechanisms and impacts of generating electricity from the wind:
Elementary school — Determining Wind Direction
Middle school — Windfarm Impact on Precipitation
High school — Windfarm Impact on Precipitation
High school — Understanding Downwind Effects
Sea breezes can provide a welcome break from summertime temperatures and spark afternoon thunderstorms; however, their formation and strength are greatly affected by changes in land-use. Students will examine environmental observing system data and a radar loop to identify sea breeze fronts and discuss the implications of ongoing sea breeze research.
In this hands‐on introduction to heat capacity, students explore the concept and its effects on our daily lives. They use ocean observing system data to investigate why water acts as a thermal buffer and the practical applications of water's high heat capacity.
