Did you know some of the tiniest living things in the ocean help make the air you breathe? Meet phytoplankton, microscopic plant-like organisms that are true heroes of the sea! In this NASA eClips video Dr. Ivona Cetinić, an oceanographer with NASA’s PACE mission, will help you discover how these tiny drifters create oxygen, feed ocean animals big and small, and keep ecosystems around the world in balance. Come explore why life on Earth depends on these amazing ocean powerhouse organisms!
Discussion and writing prompts
- Ocean Superheroes: Why do you think scientists call phytoplankton "heroes"? Write or talk about how they help both animals in the ocean and people on land.
- Breath of Fresh Air: Phytoplankton make a lot of the oxygen we breathe. Imagine what life would be…
Did you know some of the tiniest living things in the ocean help make the air you breathe? Meet phytoplankton, microscopic plant-like organisms that are true heroes of the sea! In this NASA eClips video Dr. Ivona Cetinić, an oceanographer with NASA’s PACE mission, will help you discover how these tiny drifters create oxygen, feed ocean animals big and small, and keep ecosystems around the world in balance. Come explore why life on Earth depends on these amazing ocean powerhouse organisms!
Discussion and writing prompts
- Ocean Superheroes: Why do you think scientists call phytoplankton "heroes"? Write or talk about how they help both animals in the ocean and people on land.
- Breath of Fresh Air: Phytoplankton make a lot of the oxygen we breathe. Imagine what life would be like if there were no phytoplankton. How would Earth be different?
- Food Web Connections: Phytoplankton are at the start of the ocean food web. Choose your favorite ocean animal and explain how it might depend on phytoplankton for survival.
- Big Impact, Tiny Size: Phytoplankton are very small, but they have a huge impact on the world. Can you think of another small thing that makes a big difference? Compare it to phytoplankton.
Related Links
Ages 3 through 12
Ages 4 through 8
- NASA PACE: What Will PACE Help Us See?
- NASA PACE: Actually, it’s Phytoplankton (Episode 1)
- Virtual Science Teacher: Aquatic Food Chain
- Virtual Science Teacher: Photosynthesis Reaction in Phytoplankton
Ages 4 through 12
- NASA PACE
- NASA PACE: Thematic Resources
- NASA PACE: Build Your own PACE!
- NASA eClips: Real World: The Carbon Cycle
- NASA eClips: Real World: NASA and the Chesapeake Bay
- NASA PACE: Fisheries Food Security
- NASA PACE: PACE by Wavelength
- NASA PACE: Phytoplankton Exploration
- NASA PACE: Ocean Color Images: Interactive Map
- NASA GSFC: PACE Makes the Invisible Visible
- My NASA Data: Exploring Phytoplankton from Space with My NASA Data - Phytoplankton Mini Lessons
- My NASA Data: Phytopia: Exploration of Marine Ecosystem
Ages 6 through 12
- NASA PACE: StoryMap Gallery
- NASA PACE: Drawings, Painting, and Lasers - Oh My!
- NASA: PACE - Observing the Invisible Ocean Life from Space
- My NASA Data: Global Phytoplankton Distribution Map
- Virtual Science Teacher: Photosynthesis Reaction in Phytoplankton
- Virtual Science Teacher: Marine Food Pyramid
- Virtual Science Teacher: Energy Flow in Marine Ecosystems