syllabus deep cold seeps

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  • Curriculum Title: Exploring the Deep Cold Seeps ecosystem in the Arctic
    Target Audience: 12–16-year-old students 
    Duration: 4 Lessons (each 45–60 minutes) 
    • 15–20 minutes e-learning content + online assessment 
    • 30–45 minutes optional classroom/offline activity (Lessons 1–3) 
    • 30–45 minutes BIIGLE Party Image Tagging Challenge (Lesson 4) 
    Cooperating Marine Researcher: Ines Barrenechea &Fereshteh Hemmateenejad
    Location: University of Tromsø

  • This course consists of four lessons integrated into an 8-week science unit at Tromsø International School, where students will dive into the fascinating world of ecosystems.

    During this unit, students will participate in hands-on lab activities, exploring real and preserved specimens to master the art of observing and classifying benthic organisms.

    These experiences will prepare them to identify species from digital images using the BIIGLE Party Program, further strengthening their observational abilities. The four lessons described below will be taught during the last 3 weeks of the unit. 

  • Lesson 1:

    • Explain what a cold‑seep ecosystem is and how it functions 

    • Understand what a cold seep is

    • Describe and explain physical-chemical systems of the water column and seafloor in the cold seeps.

    Lesson 2:

    • Describe ecosystem processes in benthic habitats

    • Understand how energy is obtained by organisms in the cold seepsdisrupt these habitats 

    Lesson 3:

    • escribe briefly the scientific methods used to study cold seeps

    • Identify the methods and techniques researchers use to study cold seeps.

    Lesson 4:

    • Explain which are the main species in cold seeps

    • Identify them using images

  • Lesson 1: Introduction to cold seeps

    • Definition and occurrence of cold seeps in the Arctic

    • Svyatogor cold seep (map)

    • Abiotic factors

    • Ecological importance: Relationship cold-seep - climate change.

    • Ecological significance of abiotic factors for life: Relationship cold-seep – life

    Lesson 2: Cold Seep ecology

    • Introduction to cold seep ecology. 

    • Typical vs Arctic cold seep: What is different in the Arctic?

    • How is energy derived from chemicals (chemosynthesis)?

    Lesson 3: Scientific tools and importance of cold seep habitats

    • How do scientists study cold seeps?

    • Locating Cold Seeps from the Surface

    • Close insights to the Cold Seeps: Dive with Robots Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROV)

    • Importance of studying cold seeps

    Lesson 4: Main Fauna in cold seeps and how to identify them (BIIGLE introduction)

    • What seafloor organisms are you identifying in BIIGLE?

    • Why is it important to study them? 

    • How to use BIIGLE

    • Students’ contribution to research

  • Lesson 1 

    • Understand different physical and chemical components of cold seeps.

    • Think-Pair-Share: Students discuss about chemical and physico components and present their ideas.

    • Quick Quiz: Short questions about key terms (benthic, cold seep, etc.)

    • Small project: Life from bad smells (OceanSenses activity book p.27-33)

    Lesson 2

    • Hand-on experience with real and preserved benthic organisms

    • Excursion: Visit an aquarium like the one in Tromsø (Polaria) which showcases key families and classes of benthic organisms featured in Lesson 4.

    • Exkursion: Observe and identify living benthic and pelagic fauna in hands-on lab activities.

    Lesson 3

    • Group Work Task: Scientific Role Play on the Kronprins Haakon

    • Students will act out a short scene demonstrating how scientists collect samples

    Lesson 4 

    • BIIGLE Challenge: species tagging competition 

  • Students reflect on what they have learned and consider actions to protect deep‑sea ecosystems. 


    • Reflection prompt: 'What surprised you most about life in the deep ocean?' 
    • Creative campaign: marine conservation posters or videos 
    • Class brainstorm: 'How can we protect deep‑sea ecosystems from afar?' 

    • Final Quiz: covering terms, concepts, and species across all lessons 

    • Creative Project: Campaign or infographic about cold‑seep ecosystems 

    • Oral Presentation: Describe a cold‑seep animal and its role in the ecosystem 

    • Science Communication Task: Write a blog or short article explaining deep‑sea tech 

    • Case study analysis: Present a case study about a specific challenge or initiative

  • • Formative quizzes (e-learning platform) 
    • Participation in class activities and discussions 
    • Reflective writing and creative projects 
    • BIIGLE tagging accuracy and engagement 

  • The course is designed to be inclusive and accessible: 
    • Subtitled videos and text transcripts available 
    • Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning pathways 
    • Flexible assessment options: oral, visual, or written 
    • Adaptive tech support for students with mobility or processing needs