Physiology: Dolphin Divers Lesson Plan

Grade Level

6th-8th Grade

Objectives

Students will be able to apply their knowledge of buoyancy and density to the physiology of diving dolphins.

Florida Sunshine State Standards:

Science SC.A.1.3.1 The student identifies various ways in which substances differ (e.g., mass, volume, shape, density, texture, and reaction to temperature and light).
Science SC.F.2.3.3 The student knows that generally organisms in a population live long enough to reproduce because they have certain survival characteristics.
Science SC.H.1.3.2 The student knows that the study of the events that led scientists to discoveries can provide information about the inquiry process and its effects.

National Standards:

Content Standard A (5-8) – Abilities Necessary to do Scientific Investigations: Develop descriptions, explanations, predictions, and models using evidence; Think critically and logically to make the relationships between the evidence and explanations; Communicate scientific procedures and explanations.
Content Standard C (5-8) – Diversity and Adaptations of Organisms: Biological evolution accounts for the diversity of species developed through gradual processes over many generations. Species acquire many of their unique characteristics through biological adaptation, which involves the selection of naturally occurring variations in populations. Biological adaptations include changes in structures, behaviors, or physiology that enhance survival and reproductive success in a particular environment.