Winged Ambassadors—Ocean Literacy through the Eyes of Albatross
The classroom activity package titled, "Winged Ambassadors—Ocean Literacy through the Eyes of Albatross" is available free and online courtesy of NOAA, Oikonos, and other partners. Albatrosses, charismatic and threatened seabirds, are ambassadors for a clean ocean because they traverse vast oceanic regions searching for floating food. Along their journeys, they mistake plastic trash for food, ingesting it and feeding it to their chicks. These five lessons comprise new and modified activities, using inquiry-based science instruction.
Grade Level: Suited for grades 6 to 8 with extensions for grades 9 to 12
Education Standards: Aligned with California and Hawai‘i State Science Standards | Next Generation Science Standards | Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts/Literacy and Mathematics | Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence
Instructional Approach: Uses the 5E model for inquiry-based science instruction
Available Lessons
- Introduction to Seabirds
- Tracking Albatross Migrations
- Protecting Ocean Hotspots
- Bolus Analysis
- Campus Debris Survey
What's Included
Each lesson includes
- A lesson plan with learning objectives and procedures
- Required materials and preparation guidance
- Estimated time needed
- Discussion questions with suggested answers
- Differentiation ideas for diverse learners
- Additional resources, videos, and links
Download Free Activity Package
Featured Activity: Albatross Bolus Activity
A new interactive albatross bolus sorting and measuring activity is available as part of Lesson 4. A bolus is a mass of indigestible material regurgitated by a chick, particularly in seabirds like albatrosses, just before it leaves the nest.
In this activity, students identify evidence from natural prey items as well as different types of marine debris found within a bolus sample. An ID Guide and Bolus Dissection Worksheet are included.
This activity package was produced by Oikonos - Ecosystem Knowledge and Meghan Marerro in collaboration with Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary and Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument with funding from NOAA's Office of National Marine Sanctuaries (Pacific Islands and West Coast regions).