Underwater Adventure Videos Available for Classroom Use

Jonathan Bird’s Blue World is an underwater adventure program that has been broadcast on more than 260 public television stations since May 2008. It is also available online at http://www.blueworldTV.com and via free podcasts through iTunes.  The shows have been used in the classroom to illustrate science topics; accompanying study guides for each segment were created with the intent that teachers could incorporate the show into science education. The shows are produced by Oceanic Research Group, a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of the world’s oceans and marine life through education. ORG’s educational films have been used in the classroom since 1995.

Educational Videos, Live Webcast, Multimedia Resources on Ocean-Climate Connection from NASA

Understanding Climate is the theme of NASA’s Earth Science Week 2009 (ESW09), October 11-18, focusing on the connection between climate change and our oceans. A series of five short educational videos, entitled “Tides of Change”, focuses on the ocean-climate connection. Each educational video features a specific aspect of this connection, such as the water cycle or life in the ocean, and includes custom animation, data visualization and expert interviews.  Watch the videos. NASA’s Global Climate Change website hosts a wealth of ESW09 content, including the interactive 3-D Eyes on Earth. This application allows users to fly around the planet on the wings of a satellite, observing the planet’s vital signs from space. The Climate site is also a one-stop shop  for all of NASA’s best Earth science education resources related to the understanding of climate.  One of the highlights of Earth Science Week is alive educational webcast on October 14 at 1:00 p.m. EDT.  Classrooms around the country will participate in this live event focused on Earth science discoveries and careers. NASA oceanographers will discuss their careers, illustrate NASA’s unique view of the oceans from space, and answer questions submitted by participants.

Free Educational Materials from Jean-Michel Cousteau

The PBS series Jean-Michel Cousteau: Ocean Adventures offers educational materials are free and are available on the  websiteWhile you’re there, be sure to check out the short web-only videos made specifically for educational use and their accompanying lesson plans.

Living on the Ocean Planet Video Contest Winners

The winning videos submitted to the 2009 National Ocean Sciences Bowl “Living on the Ocean Planet” Video Contest, sponsored by the National Ocean Sciences Bowl (NOSB) and the Census of Marine Life, have been announced. The contest helped to inspire high school students to create a two minute video that would serve to increase ocean science awareness among family, friends and the public. Watch the videos