Marine Science Investigations: Hunt for the USS Alligator is being offered as an elective course for Crittenden Middle School in Newport News, Virginia. The hands-on, inquiry-based multi-disciplinary curriculum for this course has a strong NOAA science basis. The "Marine Science Investigations: The Hunt For The USS Alligator" curriculum provides students with the opportunity to explore the wonders and mysteries of underwater exploration and provides them with a unique opportunity to solve one of the great mysteries of maritime history- Where is the USS Alligator? The Hunt For The USS Alligator, the Navy’s first submarine, will be used as a vehicle to implement this multidisciplinary curriculum including topics such as oceanography, language arts, biology, chemistry, technology, scientific inquiry, geography, social science, art, and mathematics.

The Hunt for the USS Alligator has been used in an after school program for 2 years using NOAA as a platform for investigative learning. Further developing the club into a curriculum broadened our reach and allowed us to improve the curriculum for a wider audience. If you're interested in exploring this for your class or school email Jennifer Petro, Education Manager or call 757-664-1008.

Sample Lesson Plans in PDF format:

• Bathymetry - The Bathymetry lesson will introduce and familiarize the student with the topography of the ocean floor and the geological processes of how it is formed.
• Chart Interpretation - The Chart Interpretation lesson will introduce and familiarize the student in the use of a nautical chart and how to obtain information from the chart.
• Corrosion/Conservation/Preservation - The Corrosion lesson will explore reasons why metal corrodes and ways to treat and preserve artifacts.
• Tides and Currents - The tides and currents lesson explains what causes tides and currents.
• History - The History lesson will provide the student with an understanding of the development of the USS Alligator, the United States' first submarine, in technology, practical applications, and history.
• Water Pressure - The pressure lesson will allow the student to examine and predict what water pressure can do to certain types of material at different depths.
• Sedimentation - The sedimentation lesson will enable the student to distinguish the different types of material that make up the ocean floor and how the process of sedimentation affects the hunt for the USS Alligator.
• Technology/Exploration - The Oceanographic Technology lesson will introduce the student to exploration of the sea floor.
• Weather - The Weather Lesson will show the student how dangerous weather is formed and what affects it has on the surface and sub surface of the oceans.