An interdisciplinary middle school module in marine science and archaeology: 'If Shipwrecks Could Talk'

Within recent years science has taken its place beside language development and mathematics as one of the necessary foundations of public education (grades pre-K-12). Increasingly young people need an understanding of basic scientific concepts and methods as it applies to the natural and cultural environment around them.;In most parts of the United States, marine science is only taught formally at the high school level as elective courses. Primary and secondary school teachers are not trained in marine science nor are there many hands-on teaching modules available. Marine education is seriously deficient in Florida, the fourth populous state in the country with the largest coastline in the continental United States.;A teaching module entitled "If Shipwrecks Could Talk" is presented composed of classroom activities merging marine science together with marine archaeology. The fascinating world of marine science and underwater archaeology is introduced to students through the study of historic shipwrecks. The module allows students in the classroom to map the earth's oceans, interpret depth readings, plot 16th Century shipping routes, locate shipwrecks, design ships, and excavate historic vessels.;The development of the middle school curriculum (grades 6-8) has focused on marine science and archaeology as an interdisciplinary environmental education module. An effort has been made to use archaeology in the main stream of environmental education. The module attempts to move away from fact-based learning to a concept-issue based educational program which incorporates "hands-on" classroom activities geared towards applying newly learned skills, cognitive knowledge and attitudes. Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are central to a self-discovery approach engaging students in hands-on investigation and stewardship of their marine environment.