Resources for Educators
Curriculum Guides
The Center for Alaskan Coastal Studies has developed several activity guides and curriculums. In addition, we have planning guides, science content guides, and other educational media to help teachers prepare for a field trip to one of our facilities or integrate exciting, hands-on environmental education activities into their classroom.
All activities in our activity guides are aligned with Alaska State Science Standards.
Sea Ducks of Alaska Activity Guide
Journey into the world of sea ducks with a hands-on Activity Guide for grades 4-6. Lessons are aligned with Alaska State Standards.
Endangered Species Activity Guide
Learn about wildlife population dynamics, the factors that may place species at risk, and efforts by people to help wildlife species recover. Introduce the concepts of "biodiversity" and "endangered" to your students (K-8) in a hands-on interactive way.
Alaska CoastWatch Curriculum
Welcome to the Gulf of Alaska CoastWatch, an inquiry-based educational experience for students in grades 5-12 who are eager to learn about the rocky intertidal environment and the Gulf of Alaska marine ecosystem that is an important part of our extensive Alaskan coastline.
Invasive Plants Curriculum Guide
This guide for grades K-6 allows students to be active citizen scientists, problem solvers, and participants in conservation efforts while learning about invasive plants and their impact on biodiversity and ecosystem health.
Teaching Kits
Our Teaching Kits go hand-in-hand with our Curriculum Guides, and are available for check-out at our Headquarters. Kits may be checked out for up to 10 days, with check-out renewal available by phone. Contact us to reserve your kit.
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(Grades K-12) Hands-on activity to explore recycling and the art of papermaking. Kit contains all materials needed to make recycled paper (includes blender, screens, paper, fine mesh bag, towels, sponges). Includes step-by-step instructions and resource materials on recycling.
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(Grades K-12) Hands-on activity to explore the art of gyotaku (fish printing) and extend learning on fish morphology. Kit contains all materials needed to make fish print art (includes latex fish molds, rice paper, newsprint, paint, burlap, butcher paper). Includes step-by-step instructions, a lesson plan with gyotaku background information, and 2 laminated fish anatomy posters.
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(Grades K-8) Hands-on activity to explore the the impact that fire has on Alaskan natural resources. Kit contains all materials needed to teach students about wildland fire ecology, behavior, and management, and how to make our homes “Firewise.”
Activity Guides
Stewardship and Taking Care of our Environment
Beach Stewardship Virtual Field Trip: explore this collection of videos to learn how to become a beach steward in your community.
Be a Beach Steward Activity Guide: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School students.
CoastWatch Survey Activity Guide: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Middle School and High School students.
Whether you are a teacher or a parent seeking hands-on activities that encourage outodoor and environmental exploration and learning, the activity guides and videos below will help foster inquisitive minds.
Marine Debris
Graphing Marine Debris: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Middle School and High School students.
Be a Beach Steward: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Middle School and High School students.
Ocean Acidification Lab: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Middle School and High School students.
Marine Debris Masks (Cardboard or Plaster): Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Middle School and High School students.
Predicting the Path of Marine Debris: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Middle School and High School students.
Upcycle Marine Debris Hats: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Middle School and High School students.
Observing our Environment
Upside Down Hike Virtual Field Trip: explore this collection of videos to learn how to do an Upside Down Hike.
Short Forest Games & Activities: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
Solo Spot Activity: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Middle School and High School students.
Scientific Sketching: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary, Middle School, and High School students.
Sound Mapping: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Middle School and High School students.
Forest Animals & Ecology
Tracking in Alaska Virtual Field Trip: explore this collection of videos to learn how to track wildlife in Alaska.
Edible & Medicinal Plants Virtual Field Trip: explore this collection of videos to learn about edible and medicinal plants.
Upside Down Hike Virtual Field Trip: explore this collection of videos to learn how to do an Upside Down Hike.
Short Forest Games & Activities: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
Forest Bingo - Spruce Bark Beetle: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
Forest Bingo - Plant Uses: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
Forest Excursion - Plant Uses: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
Forest Excursion - Spruce Bark Beetle: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
Forest Scavenger Hunt - Habitat Focus: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
Forest Scavenger Hunt - Plant Uses: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
Solo Spot: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Middle School and High School students.
Tracking in Alaska ID Sheet: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
Macroinvertebrates of Kachemak Bay: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School Students.
Wilderness ER and Medicinal Plants - Matching Activity: Download the PDF activity guide here.
Weather, Currents & Tides
Coriolis & Currents: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Middle School students (and adaptable for High School students).
Density Differences - Air: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
Density Differences - Water: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
GLOBE Weather Monitoring: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students (and adaptable for High School students).
Pressure & Storms: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students (and adaptable for High School students).
Predicting the Path of Marine Debris: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary and Middle School students.
Resources for Weather Monitoring: watch this video to learn how to monitor snow fall in your area using GLOBE Snow Monitoring.
Plankton & Other Ocean Life
Plankton Virtual Field Trip: explore this collection of videos to learn about plankton in Homer Harbor.
Plankton Races: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Upper Elementary, Middle School and High School students.
Feed the Whales: Download the PDF activity guide here designed for Elementary and Middle School students.
Make Your Own Plankton Net: Download the PDF activity guide here.
Guide to Phytoplankton of Kachemak Bay: Download the PDF guide here.
Student Guide to Phytoplankton of Kachemak Bay: Download the PDF guide here.
Plankton Coloring Book: Download the PDF Coloring Book here.
Bishops Beach Intertidal ID Cards: Download the PDF here.