syllabus NORWEGIAN MARGIN

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  • Curriculum Title: Exploring the Deep Sea – Benthic Habitats of the Norwegian Margin
    Target Audience: 12–16-year-old students 
    D    uration: 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: Autun Purser
    Location: Alfred-Wegener-Institut (Bremerhaven, Germany)

  • Have you ever wondered what lives deep below the waters in the Arctic? What type of life is there and what do they do?

    Over four lessons, students explore the world of Arctic cold seeps — extreme deep-sea habitats fueled by methane and sulfide. Students examine real and preserved specimens, use modern scientific tools such as BIIGLE, and engage in simulated research to classify species and understand deep-sea biodiversity.

    The unit builds practical skills in observation, classification, and environmental analysis whilst linking classroom science to real-world challenges. 

  • Lesson 1: Introduction to Deep-Sea Environments

    • Describe and explain the benthic habitats in the Norwegian Margin.

    • Discover what types of animals live in this area

    • Understand why biodiversity is so important for these areas.

    Lesson 2: Importance of Deep Sea Habitats

    • Explain Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their connection to deep-sea habitats.

    • Understand the importance of Norwegian Margin seafloor habitats for biodiversity.

    • Describe how these habitats contribute to the food web.

    • Explain the role of deep-sea habitats in carbon storage and climate mitigation.

    Lesson 3: Threats and Conservation

    • Trawling – How fishing nets destroy seafloor life.

    • Oil & gas drilling – Habitat destruction and pollution.

    • Invasive species – How species introduced by humans affect ecosystems.

    • Plastics & microplastics – How waste harms marine life.

    Lesson 4: BIIGLE Party – Animal Identification 

    • Understand why assessing fauna in deep-sea images is important.

    • Identify and annotate different at-risk and indicative species in deep-sea images.

    • Monitor human impact on benthic habitats through citizen science contributions.

  • Lesson 1: Introduction to Deep-Sea Benthic Environments

    • Definition of benthic and ecosystem

    • Overview of Norwegian Margin deep-sea habitats (cold-water coral reefs, sponge gardens, soft-bottomed seafloor).

    • Biodiversity & importance of these habitats.

    Lesson 2: Importance of Norwegian Margin Seafloor Habitats

    • Maintaining Biodiversity

    • Carbon Storage and Climate Impact

    • Sustainable Developement Goals & Ocean Decade Goals

    Lesson 3: Threats and Conservation of Benthic Habitat

    • Biggest Threats to Deep-Sea Habitats

    • Consequences of Human Impact

    • Studying and Monitoring Human Impact

    Lesson 4: BIIGLE Party – How to Tag Animals Like a Scientist

    • Which species are you looking in BIIGLE Party and why?

    • Students’ contribution to research

    • How to use BIIGLE

  • Lesson 1 

    • Think-Pair-Share: Students discuss what they know so far about these environments and why they find it important.

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

    • Class Debate: “Can you think of reasons why these habitats are important?

    • Virtual Deep-Sea Explorer: Understand different benthic habitats.

    Lesson 2

    • Think-Pair-Share: Students discuss carbon storage and what that means to climate impact.

    • Quick Quiz: Short questions about key terms

    • Class Debate: “What does it mean if the ocean cannot store as much carbon as before?”

    • Save the Deep-Sea Habitat Challenge - Learn how laws and conservation protect marine life.

    Lesson 3

    • Think-Pair-Share: Students discuss a threat to benthic habitats and present their ideas.

    • Quick Quiz: Short questions about key terms (invasive species, habitat destruction, recovery efforts, etc.).

    • Class Debate: “Are there alternatives to trawling, oil and gas drilling, or plastic use?”

    • Consequencs of Human influence - Familiarization through small learning stationss of Wally’s crawler movement 

    Lesson 4 

    • BIIGLE Challenge: species tagging competition 

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

    • Students reflect on what they’ve learned and how they can help protect the ocean.

    • Discussion: “What would happen if we didn’t protect deep-sea habitats?”

    • Call to action: How can we reduce plastic waste & support conservation? “What do I/ my family/ my community do that might be harmful to the sea?”

    • Creative Project: Design a poster explaining a benthic habitat and its threats.

    • Short Written Reflection: "Why should we care about deep-sea habitats?"

    • Multiple-Choice Quiz: Assess understanding of threats, laws, and conservation efforts.

  • • 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