The Sailors for the Sea Rainy Day Kits are environmental lesson plansfocused on marine ecology that can be taught to young sailors in yachtclubs, sailing programs, and other low resource environments aroundthe country. The kits provide a clear connection to and understandingof the marine ecosystems that thrive beneath their hulls. Sailors withan understanding of marine ecology are more likely to develop a strongpassion for protecting and preserving their oceans and local waters.The lessons and labs have been created for and contributed to theRainy Day Kit Program by leaders in the fields of marine and environmental science and education. In collaboration with these institutions, Sailors for the Sea worked to build lessons simple enough that they can be taught by sailing instructors who may not be well-versed in ecology or biology. We developed flexible lessons that can be used in a variety of regions, and which are substantial without being too material-intensive.Sailors for the Sea is continually adding to and updating our lessons.If you use any of these lessons, please take a moment to fill out ourfeedback form and help us continue to improve the program.To download, click on any of the lesson plans. After filling out somebrief information you will be directed to a download link.
Jr. Sailors for the Sea (Recommended for all ages)
The Deadliest Catch Contributed by The Pew Environment Group Students engage in a hands-on fishing activity to learn about the effects of advancing technology on fishing stocks.
Beach Bucket Scavenger Hunt Contributed by Birch Aquarium/The Scripps Institute of OceanographyA fun, hands-on activity that introduces students to beach ecology andthe role manmade objects can play in the ecosystem.
Oyster TagContributed by Sailors for the SeaOyster Tag is a tag-inspired game that demonstrates the effects of pollution on oyster reefs, as well as the effect of oyster reefs on pollution.
Dirty Water ChallengeContributed by the New England AquariumThis is a fun activity that teaches students about their environment in an engaging and practical way. Inquiry and discussion is embedded within the practical-students have to design, plan and then build their own design of water filter. Students are exposed to important concepts from a variety of scientific disciplines, including how the water cycle works, and the principles behind water filtering.Ocean Resources Contributed by University of Miami's R. J. Dunlap Marine Conservation ProgramStudents participate in a mock debate that highlights many of the different user groups who draw on the ocean's resources and introduces them to the principles of the Law of the Sea. A Story of Sand Contributed by Birch Aquarium/The Scripps Institute of OceanographyStudents learn about beaches and the different geologic and physicalprocesses that form sand.
What is Hiding in the Water? Contributed by the Waterfront CenterBuilding plankton and dip nets out of common materials. Students use these tools in local bodies of water to learn about marine ecology and the role of microscopic organisms in the oceans.
Density CurrentsContributed by the Rosenstiel School of Marine and Atmospheric ScienceThis activity demonstrates the Thermohaline Circulation throughout the world's oceans and the relative density between cold and warm ocean water.
Who Dirtied the Water?Contributed by the New England AquariumThis interactive story asks students to take on the roles of different historical and modern characters who have had a role in the pollution of a body of water. As the story is read, each character in turn adds a film container full of pollutants to a jar of clean water representing the body of water.
For more information, please email Annie Brett. Please fill out our feedback form so we can continue to grow this program.
Sailors for the Sea Rainy Day Kits program is a registered trademark of Sailors for the Sea. Use of this program in part or whole should be attributed to Sailors for the Sea.