Science Lesson: Atlantic Puffins
Created by Teacher(s): Katie Coppens|Published on: June 6, 2024
Grades: 6, 7, 8
Type: Lesson Plan
Subjects: Science
Duration: 1 hour 40 minutes
Created by: Maine Climate Education Hub teachers
Region: Maine
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
Students learn about the Atlantic Puffin’s recovery in Maine and design solutions to help counter the impacts of rising sea levels on their burrows on Eastern Egg Rock Island.
Inquire: Students explore the design of burrows made by Atlantic Puffins as well as human-made burrows and apply this information to their own design ideas.
Investigate: Students come up with a solution to help Atlantic Puffins as sea levels put Eastern Egg Rock and its burrows at risk.
Inspire: Students explain their solution designs and select ideas to be submitted to Project Puffin. Optionally, students can work together to fundraise at least $100 to adopt a puffin and fund the research of one Atlantic Puffin.
Teaching Materials
Accompanying Materials
Lesson Plan Preview
Teaching Tips
Standards
Teacher Writer
Katie Coppens
Katie Coppens holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a Minor in Environmental Conservation and a Master of Arts in Teaching with a Concentration in Environmental Science from the University of New Hampshire. She has 25 years of teaching experience, specializing in biology and English for grades 1–12, with most of her career spent teaching middle school and additional experience teaching high school biology and English in Tanzania. Katie is certified in K–8, 6–12 Life Science, and 6–12 Social Studies. She is the author of the National Science Teaching Association's Science Scope "Interdisciplinary Ideas" column, has written eight science-themed children's books, received three national writing awards, and was honored with the 2022 Presidential Award for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →

