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Ocean Layers Of The Sea

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Ocean Layers Of The Sea

Children will learn and discover the various layers of the ocean along with where marine animals live.

Materials Needed:

  • 5 small containers
  • Food colouring (blue, red and green)
  • Water
  • Ocean animal figurines
  • Labels for each ocean layer

What to do:

  • Label each container one of the ocean layers zones:
    Sunlight Zone
    Twilight Zone
    Midnight Zone
    Abyss
    Trenches
  • Add ocean animals to each ocean layer zone (it's good to research this beforehand).
  • Fill each container with water.
  • Add food colouring to each of the ocean layers zones:
    Sunlight Zone - a tiny bit of blue
    Twilight Zone - 1 drop blue
    Midnight Zone - 2 drops blue
    Abyss - 4 drops blue
    Trenches - 5 drops blue, 2 drops green & 1 drop reduced
  • Stack the containers on top of each other or add them next to each other.

Science Factor:

How Light Travels Through Water

As light enters the water, light rays are refracted due to the density of the water. When light enters a more dense material, it slows down. As the light rays are refracted (or bent), they spread apart and are slowing down along with some of the rays being absorbed by solid particles in the water. This is why the ocean appears to have different colours of blue -- not because it is blue but because of the amount of light from the sun that reaches each ocean layer decreases as you travel deeper.

Hints and Tips:

  • Discuss ocean life and the different types of sea animals that live in each of the ocean layers.
  • Explore the sea animals that live in the deeper layers of the ocean and the adaptions they make in the dark water.
  • Draw, paint ocean animal etc.
  • Show books/images of ocean life and use these as a discussion point.

Reference:
Ocean Zones For Kids - Layers Of The Science Project, KCAdventures

 

Additional Info

  • Appropriate Age: 3 year+
  • Number of Children: Small Group (4), Large Group (5 or more)
  • Developmental Milestones:

    relates what they are doing with others
    observed and imitates adults actions
    explores materials
    recognises similarities and differences
    can follow 2 or more directions
    pays attention to activities for longer periods of time

  • Play Based Learning: Sensory Play, Exploratory Play
  • Interest Areas: Science and Nature, Sensory Play
  • Games Categories: Cognitive Development, Language Development, Learning Games, Sand and Water Games, Science Experiments
  • EYLF Outcomes: Learning Outcome 4
  • Sub Outcomes:

    4.1 Children develop dispositions for learning such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity.

    4.2 Children develop a range of skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating.

Created On June 5, 2023 Last modified on Monday, June 5, 2023
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