Ocean Activities in Virgin Islands National Park

Dive into discovery with our Ocean Activities: Virgin Islands National Park activity! Perfect for middle and high school science classes, this enriching kit features vibrant maps, interactive ocean-themed exercises, and detailed data tables tailored to the unique marine geography and ecosystems of Virgin Islands National Park. Whether used in the classroom or for at-home exploration, these engaging resources spark curiosity and deepen understanding of ocean science. Make waves in your teaching and inspire young scientists today!

Virgin Islands National Park includes over 7,000 acres of shorelines, marine habitats, coral reefs, and tropical rainforests. Because this park is located on an island in the Atlantic Ocean, it is very reliant on the ocean and the effects it has on the island. There are many ways that the ocean affects the islands. In this activity, students will examine the effects of the ocean and climate change, specifically, on Virgin Islands National Park.

Basically, there are six 'stations' in this activity, each with a different topic about the ocean. Students will do a different activity for each station. Directions are included in the student packet and on the station sheets.

Here are the station topics and summary of activity:

1. Island Geology: Students will read about four different landform types on the island (i.e. cliffs, sand beach, etc.) and about the vulnerability to ocean erosion. Then, they will look at 12 pictures of different locations around the park and identify how vulnerable each location is to ocean erosion.

2. Shoreline Erosion: Students will read about shoreline erosion, then they will use samples of shoreline erosion and measure how much was eroded from four locations.

3. Ocean Temperature: Students will create a 4-line graph of the average ocean temperature throughout three different years plus a year of projections.

4. Ocean Currents: Students will analyze two maps, one of the ocean currents of the world and one of the ocean currents surrounding Virgin Islands National Park. Then, they will answer 10 questions about the maps.

5. Coral Reefs and pH: Students will read about how pH of the ocean affects coral reefs. Then, they will make three pie graphs using the provided data tables (distribution of coral reefs, ocean acidity (pH) and coral reef vulnerability.

6. Sea Level: Students will analyze a topographic map of Virgin Islands National Park and a line graph of the sea levels from 1880-2020. They will answer 9 questions about the map and graph, including predicting what the sea levels will be at this year.

After students complete each of these stations, they will answer 11 analysis questions, which summarize what they learned from all of the stations.

There are also teacher tips provided to help you as you direct your students through this activity as well as detailed prep and procedure directions.

Typically, this activity will last around three class periods for students to go through all of the stations. The activity is designed so that students can pick up at a new station the next day and continue where they left off in their packets.

This product includes:

1. Teacher Directions-including materials needed  

2. Teacher Prep Directions

3. Teacher Procedure

4. Teacher Tips

5. Websites and Citations

6. Student Packet Answers

7. Student Packets (12 pages)

8. Station Signs

9. Geology Sheets

10. Shoreline Erosion Sheets

11. Optional Printable Rulers

12. Ocean Temperatures Sheets

13. Ocean Currents Sheets

14. Coral Reefs and pH Sheets

15. Sea Levels Sheets

To do this activity, you will need:

• Pencil

• Copy of student packet (for each student)

• 4-6 copies of station sheets

• One copy of station signs

• Colored Pencils (specifically: Blue, Green, Orange, Yellow and Red). You will need these colors for three different stations, so you’ll need at least three of each color, but more would be more helpful. 

• Scissors (just for you)

• 5-8 Rulers (printable rulers are available if needed)

• Optional: Calculators, laminator or sheet protectors.

Also, check out my Youtube Channel for FREE informational videos about the national parks along with FREE video guides for your students!

Join my email list here to learn about ways to encourage students to experience the content!

You can also follow me on Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube!

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at edventureswithmrsd@gmail.com.

Thank you!