Adventures in Scuba Diving: Exploring Marine Ecosystems (Ages 8-12)

I am a dive guide, scuba diving instructor, and marine biologist. I will be taking students on a journey into the blue in a fun and meaningful way while exploring different marine ecosystems, learning about biotic (living) and abiotic (non-living) factors, discussing the importance of biodiversity, a healthy ocean, and conservation efforts to protect and restore the ocean. 

Each class will follow a similar format, where we explore a new marine ecosystem through virtual dive trips, storytelling, pictures, videos, and discussion. This is a combined marine biology and scuba diving class, the last 5-10 minutes of every class will be spent showcasing scuba diving equipment, teaching students underwater dive hand signals, storytelling about scuba diving, and learning about what it takes to be a scuba diver. 

As this is an ongoing course, students can sign up weekly depending on which marine ecosystems they are most interested in learning about. 

Every week, students will learn about a new marine ecosystem in sequence as follows: 
1.	Open Ocean
2.	Coral Reefs
3.	Deep Seas
4.	Frozen Seas
5.	Kelp Forests
6.	Intertidal Zone
7.     Mangroves
8.    Estuaries

The 8 ecosystems will be on a repeating loop, but students will learn about new plants and animals in every rotation. 

This course is engaging and interactive. Students are encouraged to ask questions and share their thoughts and experiences throughout the lesson. 

Students should have a basic understanding of food webs and the 5 basic needs of survival. This course is perfect for learners who love the ocean, want to learn more about scuba diving, and/or are interested in being a national geographic ocean explorer!