The ocean is amazing: it covers 70% of the Earth and is home to 94% of Earth's wildlife. As explorers, we have barely scratched the surface to learn about it. More than 80% of the ocean has never been mapped, explored, or even seen by humans. So, we have a long way to go! Join us in week seven of Oceans of Possibilities to check out the things we have learned! And as we close in on the end of Summer Reading, keep logging your reading to earn free books and visit the Library to earn tickets for prizes!
#READ: The Ultimate Oceanpedia by Christina Wilsdon
From tsunamis and sea turtles to riptides and reefs, learn all about the creatures, science, and ecology of our oceans, which cover more of the planet than all the continents and are just as important!
Travel through all parts of the ocean to learn how it affects our world, including storms and climate. Amazing facts, photos, illustrations, and diagrams are found throughout this book, along with conservation tips, weird-but-true facts, and a mini ocean atlas. Challenges to the health of our ocean and its creatures are also presented along with what people are doing to keep it pristine for generations to come!
#PLAY: How Much Do You Know About Our Oceans?
Even though we still have a lot of information to learn, you may surprise yourself by what you DO know about our oceans. Here's a simple True/False game to check your knowledge, and that of your friends & family:
- Ten percent of the ocean is covered by coral reefs.
- The Great Barrier Reef in Australia can be seen from the moon.
- There are 400 species of sharks that live in the ocean.
- There are 1 million shipwrecks on the ocean floor.
- The sun is what makes the ocean blue.
- The Kermadec Trench is the deepest trench in the ocean.
- The loudest sound ever recorded was made by a blue whale.
- More than 70% of the Earth's oxygen is produced by the ocean.
- Twenty percent of the land belonging to the United States is surrounded by the ocean.
- Ice found in the ocean is safe enough to drink.
Answers:
- False: it's only ONE percent.
- True: it can be seen from the moon with the naked eye (no telescopes, etc.)
- True
- False: it's estimated there are more than 3 million!
- True
- False: the Mariana Trench is the deepest; it is almost 7 miles at its deepest point.
- False: it was made by an iceberg in 1997, and was heard more than 3,000 miles away!
- True
- False: Five percent of the land belonging to the U.S. is surrounded by the ocean.
- True: you must first let it sit to let the brine (salt) release. After that, it's safe to drink.
#EXPLORE: Make an Ocean in a Bottle
Supplies:
- 16-20 oz. clean plastic bottle and lid
- Up to 10 small to medium seashells
- ¼ c. sand
- Green and blue food coloring
- Silver glitter
- Water
- Mineral or baby oil
- Hot glue gun (with adult help)
Instructions:
- Pour sand into bottle, add seashells.
- Mix a drop of blue food coloring and a drop of green food coloring into 6 cups of water; fill the bottle halfway.
- Add a pinch of silver glitter.
- Fill the rest of the bottle with oil, leaving a little room at the top.
- With adult help, run a line of hot glue around the bottle opening and quickly replace the lid to seal up your "ocean."
From DealiciousMom.com
#JOIN: Attend a program virtually or in person!
View all school age programs and events offered this week.
For virtual programs, registration is required to receive the Zoom link; use the link in the program information to register.
For in person programs, registration is required; if space allows, walk-ins will be admitted. Use the link in the program information to register.
