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Rewatch a clip from "Finding Nemo" but this time, pay attention to the ocean. Look at all the plants and animals in the ocean. The ocean is important to life science, which is science about life. It's pretty cool how the ocean works!
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Activity One:
The East Australian Current http://video.disney.com/watch/catching-the-eac-4bb39d25a179ea8833003b15 The "EAC" flows along the eastern shore of Australia carrying warm water toward the south. It has its origins in the Coral Sea, beginning as a surface stream. It is strongest in summer and weakest in winter. The EAC carries 5-10 million cubic liters per second, with a strong influence to depths of 500 meters and as wide as 200 kilometers. It causes eddies in the ocean as broad as 200 kilometers across, rotating mainly counterclockwise at up to four knots at the edge. The eddies can be more than one kilometer deep and last up to a year. This discussion adapted from The East Australia Current by Craig Macaulay, CSIRO Marine Research. In Finding Nemo, Nemo’s dad has to find the EAC. What does that stand for? · The East Australian Current Activity Two:
The Great Barrier Reef The Great Barrier Reef is the name given to the more than 3000 rainbow colored coral reefs that grow off Australia's east coast. In places, the reef is as much as one hundred miles wide. Although there are natural breaks in the reef, the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park maintains shipping lanes - wide cuts - through the reef so ships can get through. The reef is very important to Australia's economy. It provides food and jobs. 80% of the land along the reef supports agriculture - from fisheries to cattle grazing to crops. The reef protected beach offers white sand for lazing and sparking turquoise and aqua water for snorkeling, swimming, and surfing. The Great Barrier Reef is one of the natural wonders of the world. It is home to thousands of species of plants and animals. The reef itself provides food, pearls, treasure from shipwrecks, and tourism. It is of great interest to the scientific and medical communities of the world. To learn about the GBR more: http://www.reefed.edu.au/home/explorer What kind of fish is Nemo, and where does he live?
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- Nemo is a clown fish that lives in an anemone.
- QUICK DISCUSSION QUESTION: The tentacles of anemones are poisonous. How can the clownfish live among them?
- Suggested Answer: Clownfish are not immune to the poison in the anemone's tentacles and at first appear to be stung by them. Scientists believe that by dancing up against the tentacles for a time clownfish develop a protective mucous covering. Clownfish live within the stinging tentacles of anemones. The anemone provides protection and food for the clownfish who in turn cleans the anemone of debris. Clownfish may even swim out onto the reef and with their bright colors lure other fish to their host anemone to be stung and trapped in the tentacles.
Activity Three:
Marine Life: Some of the Animals Which Appear in the Movie
Check out this site to start this activity: http://marinebio.org/gallery/video/
Then read the sections below about some of the species of animals found in "Finding Nemo." This just gives you an introduction to the species. It's your job to research more about the animals! If you're stuck, you can check out this document that your Ocean Guides put together for you!
Marine Life: Some of the Animals Which Appear in the Movie
Check out this site to start this activity: http://marinebio.org/gallery/video/
Then read the sections below about some of the species of animals found in "Finding Nemo." This just gives you an introduction to the species. It's your job to research more about the animals! If you're stuck, you can check out this document that your Ocean Guides put together for you!
Clownfish
Nemo and Marlin belong to one of about 27 species of clownfish. Their scientific name is amphiprion ocellaris. Clownfish are small and often brightly colored. They belong to the damselfish family. They are 2 - 5 inches (5 - 12.5 cm) long. They live in tropical waters. Clownfish are often sheltered by an anemone with whom they have a symbiotic relationship.
Nemo and Marlin belong to one of about 27 species of clownfish. Their scientific name is amphiprion ocellaris. Clownfish are small and often brightly colored. They belong to the damselfish family. They are 2 - 5 inches (5 - 12.5 cm) long. They live in tropical waters. Clownfish are often sheltered by an anemone with whom they have a symbiotic relationship.
Pacific Blue Tang
Dory's real-life models (paracanthurus hepatus) are members of the surgeonfish family. They were given this name because sharp, moveable spines on both sides of their tails were thought to resemble surgeons' scalpels. These spines are for defense. A fisherman trying to hold a blue tang can suffer a deep and painful wound if the fish tries to escape by giving a twist of its tail. The fish are blue with a yellow tail and a black stripe along the upper portion of their body.
Dory's real-life models (paracanthurus hepatus) are members of the surgeonfish family. They were given this name because sharp, moveable spines on both sides of their tails were thought to resemble surgeons' scalpels. These spines are for defense. A fisherman trying to hold a blue tang can suffer a deep and painful wound if the fish tries to escape by giving a twist of its tail. The fish are blue with a yellow tail and a black stripe along the upper portion of their body.
Longerhead Sea Turtles
Usually about to 3 feet (1 m) in length and weighing 350 to 400 pounds (182 kg) loggerhead sea turtles (caretta caretta) reach maturity at between 16 and 40 years. Sightings of 5 foot long turtles weighing as high as 1000 pounds have been recorded. Loggerheads mate in late March through early June. Eggs are laid throughout the summer in shallow pits dug in open beaches. After laying her eggs the female turtle covers them with sand and leaves.
Usually about to 3 feet (1 m) in length and weighing 350 to 400 pounds (182 kg) loggerhead sea turtles (caretta caretta) reach maturity at between 16 and 40 years. Sightings of 5 foot long turtles weighing as high as 1000 pounds have been recorded. Loggerheads mate in late March through early June. Eggs are laid throughout the summer in shallow pits dug in open beaches. After laying her eggs the female turtle covers them with sand and leaves.
How old is Crush (the loggerhead turtle)? Watch this video to find out! As it turns out, crush is 150 years old and is still considered young!
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Additional Resources:
Here are some additional resources for your classroom. To incorporate reading comprehension and science, students should read the articles then write a summary of the articles.
East Australian Current
East Australian Current (EAC)
To test student's science comprehension from the movie "Finding Nemo," this sheet can be used:
Nemo Worksheet
Here are some additional resources for your classroom. To incorporate reading comprehension and science, students should read the articles then write a summary of the articles.
East Australian Current
East Australian Current (EAC)
To test student's science comprehension from the movie "Finding Nemo," this sheet can be used:
Nemo Worksheet