Real World: Phytoplankton, Microscopic Drifters
What can something smaller than the width of your hair do to our whole planet? A lot! In this NASA eClips video, discover how Phytoplankton fuel food webs, make oxygen, and even affect Earth’s climate. Explore the math behind algae blooms as they grow and shrink and see how NASA’s PACE mission uses satellites to study these tiny but powerful movers of Earth’s systems.
Discussion Questions and Writing Prompts:
- Math in Nature: The video shows how algae blooms grow and shrink. Why do you think scientists use math to study these changes? How can understanding numbers help protect ocean ecosystems?
- Phytoplankton and Climate: Phytoplankton affect both food webs and the climate. Write or discuss how tiny organisms can have such a big impact on Earth’s systems.
- NASA PACE Mission: NASA’s PACE satellite studies phytoplankton from space. How do you think satellites help scientists monitor ocean health and detect algae blooms?
- Big Impact, Small Size: Phytoplankton are microscopic, yet they influence oxygen, food webs, and climate. Can you think of another example where something small has a huge effect in nature or your everyday life?