OCEARCH STEM CURRICULUM: Bringing Ocean Science Into the Classroom

Explore our Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)-aligned curriculum, built to spark curiosity and foster critical thinking. Each lesson connects to real OCEARCH research in marine biology, conservation, and technology, with opportunities to use live data from the Global Shark Tracker. 
Our curriculum is fully accredited and adaptable, giving teachers the flexibility to choose activities—experiments, projects, writing, or group work—that fit their classroom.

With more than 80 free lessons online, OCEARCH turns shark science into an inspiring path for future innovators and ocean stewards.

MATH

Intro to Fractions
Intro to Measurement
Shapes
Pictographs

SCIENCE

Ocean Pollution
Ocean Habitats
Predator and Prey
Reduce, Reuse, & Recycle
Shark Anatomy
Living and Nonliving Things
Conservation at School & Beyond

SOCIAL STUDIES

Introduction to Cardinal Directions

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STEM Activities

White Shark Migrations – Shark Tracker
All about the Ping Info Sheet

Worksheets

Anatomy of a Shark
Educational Coloring Sheet
All About My Favorite Shark
Colorful Animal Sentence Writing
Sharks of The World Writing
Read and Draw Sharks
Shark Facts Handwriting Practice
OCEARCH Coloring Sheet 1
OCEARCH Coloring Sheet 2

MATH

Solving Word Problems with Basic Operations
Diving Into Data and Graphs
Introduction To Measurements
Introduction To Fractions
Rounding

SCIENCE

Intro To Energy
Buoyancy
Endangered Species
Marine Food Webs
Ocean Zones
Shark Senses
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
Intro To Forces
Ocean Migrations
Shark Anatomy
Intro To Oceanography
Ocean Pollution
Bioluminesence
Coral Reef Ecosystem
History of Scuba Diving
Marine Debris: Microplastics
Ocean Tides
Photosynthesis

SOCIAL STUDIES

Introduction to Cartography
Shark Summit

ENGLISH

Journalism

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STEM Activities

The Great Shark Challenge
White Shark Migrations – Shark Tracker
All about the Ping Info Sheet
Who is OCEARCH?

Worksheets

Anatomy of a Shark
Marine Food Chain Ecosystem Infographic
Sharks Fact and Opinion

MATH

Interpreting Data & Graphs
Unit Conversion
Percentages
Geometry

LIFE SCIENCES

Ecosystems
Shark Anatomy
Biodiversity
Shark Senses
Endangered Species
Introduction to Cells
Introduction to Genetics

Ocean Currents
Ocean Zones
Marine Debris – Microplastics

SOCIAL STUDIES

Shark Summit
Cartography

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STEM Activities

Fishing Practices
Twitter Shark Tracking
Atlantic Ocean Migrations
Crossing The Atlantic With The M/V OCEARCH

Shark Ecology, Tag Technology
Exploring the Dusky Shark
Powering the Future

Fintastic Frights

Acoustic Telemetry

BIOLOGY

Migration Madness – Sharks on the Move
Apex Predator

AP BIOLOGY

Ecological Niches
Investigating Threats to Biodiversity
Biodiversity
Effects of Invasive Species on Populations
Population Dynamics & Growth Strategies
OCEARCH Global Shark Tracker Investigation
Trophic Ecology
Shark Behavior & Competition in the Ocean
Simpson_Shannon Diversity Index
Biomagnification & Bioaccumulation

CHEMISTRY

Ocean Pollution

PHYSICS

Physics of Shark Movement
Forces
Introduction to Vectors

HISTORY

Shark Culture

ENGLISH

Shark Journalism
Mythology of Sharks

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STEM Activities

Powering the Future
Currents, Streams, and Eddies
Twitter Shark Tracking
Atlantic Ocean Basin Comparisons
Reading The Ocean As A Fisherman
Ocean Dynamics in The Bay of Biscay & Ireland
Shark Ecology and Tag Technology
Who is OCEARCH?
How Does North Carolina’s Coast Support White Sharks?
On The Lift With OCEARCH
White Shark Migrations in The Western North Atlantic

Exploring The Dusky Shark

Fantastic Frights

Acoustic Telemetry

TESTIMONIALS

- MT. COMFORT ELEMENTARY

"I've used OCEARCH's STEM packets in my classroom to engage students with real-world scientific research, sparking their curiosity about marine life and conservation. The hands-on activities helped deepen their understanding of STEM concepts while connecting classroom learning to the exciting fieldwork of shark tracking and ocean exploration."

- WESTERN UNIVERSITY OF HEALTH SCIENCES COLLEGE OF VETERINARY MEDICINE

"The OCEARCH Education Program allowed veterinary students to be exposed to the diverse career paths within veterinary medicine. We learned about the importance of establishing a standard of care for wildlife species, such as sharks. OCEARCH showed students a fantastic example of how the scope of veterinary medicine is unlimited, and can positively impact wildlife just miles from our coastlines."

- THE DISCOVERY SCHOOL

"The OCEARCH presentation for our classroom was phenomenal. Our students were thrilled to learn about the sharks, how they are tracked, the researchers, and life on the research boat. They are also now empowered with the knowledge that organizations can come together to make an impact on the world we live in. Thank you Ocearch for continuing to inspire the future generation to make our world a better place."

- OAK VIEW ELEMENTARY

"The kids absolutely love the shark tracker and many will tell me when a new shark has pinged! They love to learn about things that are real and currently happening."

- DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM-DENVER

"Research and education go hand-in-hand with one another, and OCEARCH's resources help break down intricate scientific research into digestible formats to make it easier for the public to grasp the importance of elasmobranchs as keystone species."

- BALL GROUND STEM ACADEMY

"OCEARCH has done a phenomenal job incorporating STEM and real-world problem solving within their curriculum. As a first grade teacher, I am constantly looking for ways to engage students through rigorous and relevant lessons. Ocearch has provided this through a scaffolded and detailed curriculum that enhances our STEM focus at Ball Ground STEM Academy."
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