Plankton in the Water Column
Grades: 5+
Duration: 45 minutes
Materials:
- Various colors of modeling clay including green (use green clay for the
phytoplankton) - straws
- toothpicks
- plastic thumb tacks
- pipe cleaners
- plastic beads
- foam sheets or packing peanuts
- clear plastic 2 L soda bottle with the top removed and
edges cut smooth - permanent markers of various colors
- glitter
- sand
OSO alignment: Students learn about the importance of plankton in the marine food chain, the characteristics of plankton, and their distribution in the water column.
NGSS performance expectations: 5-PS1-1. Develop a model to describe that matter is made of particles too small to be seen. 5-LS2-1. Develop a model to describe the movement of matter among plants, animals, decomposers, and the environment.