Our World: Phytoplankton – Powering the Ocean Food Web

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

1. 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.

2. 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?

3. 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.

4. 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.

Background Information

Grades 3 through 12

• NASA eClips Ask SME: Oceanographer Dr. Ivona Cetinić (video)
• NASA eClips Spotlight: Where Can You Find Phytoplankton (video)

Grades 4 through 12

• NASA PACE (webpage)
• NASA PACE: Thematic Resources (webpage)
• NASA eClips: Real World: The Carbon Cycle (video)
• NASA eClips: Real World: NASA and the Chesapeake Bay (video)
• NASA eClips Real World: Phytoplankton, Microscopic Drifters (video)
• NASA PACE: Fisheries Food Security (video)
• NASA PACE: StoryMap Gallery (webpage)
• NASA PACE: Drawings, Painting, and Lasers - Oh My! (video)
• NASA GSFC: PACE Makes the Invisible Visible (video)
• My NASA Data: Exploring Phytoplankton from Space with My NASA Data - Phytoplankton Mini Lessons
• NASA: PACE - Observing the Invisible Ocean Life from Space (video)

Grades 6 through 12

• Virtual Science Teacher: Energy Flow in Marine Ecosystems

Activities

Grades K through 12

• Exploring Phytoplankton from Space with My NASA Data (webpage)

Grades 3 through 8

• NASA Spotlite Interactive Lesson: Who Needs Phytoplankton? (interactive)
• NASA PACE: What Will PACE Help Us See? (interactive)
• Virtual Science Teacher: Aquatic Food Chain (interactive)

Grades 3 through 12

• NASA PACE: Which Phytoplankton Are You? (interactive)
• My NASA Data: Introduction to Phytoplankton (lesson and interactive)
• Virtual Science Teacher: Energy Transfer in Marine Ecosystems (interactive)
• My NASA Data: Phytopia: Exploration of Marine Ecosystem (interactive)

Grades 4 through 12

• NASA PACE: Actually, it's Phytoplankton (Episode 1) (webpage)
• NASA PACE: Thematic Resources (webpage)
• NASA PACE: Phytoplankton Exploration (interactive)
• NASA PACE: Ocean Color Images: Interactive Map (interactive)
• NASA PACE: Build Your own PACE! (webpage)
• NASA PACE: PACE by Wavelength (interactive)

Grades 6 through 12

• NASA Spotlite Interactive Lesson: Why Are Phytoplankton Important? (interactive)
• My NASA Data: Global Phytoplankton Distribution Map (interactive)
• Virtual Science Teacher: Photosynthesis Reaction in Phytoplankton (interactive)
• Virtual Science Teacher: Marine Food Pyramid (interactive)
• Phytoplankton Mini Lessons (interactive)