Patch: Marine Science Program

AGE LEVEL: Daisies - Seniors

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: Children often consider the world's oceans as so distant and so large, that they rarely think about their connections to this vital resource. Once a child establishes a relationship or an understanding of the ocean, that memory will remain special. The more children know about the oceans, and come to understand them, the more they will care for them and will want to work hard to protect them from pollution or destruction. A field trip along the rocky coast of Washington, a stroll along the beaches of Puget Sound or a tour of the San Juan Islands are the best ways to establish this bond.

PATCH REQUIREMENTS: The Marine Science program is divided into five subjects: Oceans of the World, Ocean Animals, Food Chains, The Environment, and People.

Complete a minimum of two projects per subject.
Complete a minimum of two service projects relating to marine science.
Explore one beach.
Use the resources of at least one science center, lab, aquarium, or museum.
Share your experiences with others in some way.

SAMPLE ACTIVITIES:

As a group or individually, girls may create a large diagram of their vision of the ocean floor. Include what they believe might be found on the ocean floor. Would the same things be found in every ocean? Plan a skit around this.
Create a mobile of the water cycle from tag board.
Sea Food Chain Game.
Walk along the beach. How many of the following can you locate? Sand dollar, limpet, horseshoe crab, periwinkle, scallop, sea star, mussel, clam, sea urchin, moon snail, shell, sea anemone, goeduck, or sand crabs.
Make an Ocean Events Bulletin Board, pretend you're a journalist and report what you read or heard about, plan a news conference and invite someone to speak to your group about the ocean, or check the internet for news articles about the ocean.

FULL PATCH PROGRAM LOCATION: Go to your local regional office to get the complete patch program.

PURCHASE PATCHES: Patches can be ordered through the GSWW store.