Saltwater and Freshwater Ecosystems Video and Experiment

Scholastic's Study Jams has a wonderful short video explaining Saltwater and Freshwater Aquatic Ecosystems and the animals that live in each habitat plus a short quiz to take before and/or after viewing the video.

Click Here: Scholastic Study Jams - Aquatic Ecosystems Video

After watching the video, students might enjoy a little science experiment about saltwater and freshwater ecosystems.

Science Experiment

Directions

• Pour approximately 1 cup of water into a large clear plastic cup.
• Have the students predict what will happen to an egg when you add it to the water. Will it sink or float?
• Carefully lower a fresh egg into the cup. (The egg represents a fish.) The egg will sink to the bottom of the cup.
• Remove the egg.
• Add 2 tablespoons of salt into the cup. Stir until the salt is dissolved.
• Have the students predict what will happen to an egg when you add it to the water. Will it sink or float?
• Carefully lower an egg into the salt water. (The egg should float - part of the top should show above the water.)
• Have the students predict what will happen to the egg when you add more salt to the water.
• Remove the egg carefully. Add another tablespoon of salt and stir until it dissolves.
• Carefully lower the egg into the water. (The egg should float even higher.)

Based upon the experiment, where do the students think the largest ocean animals usually live?

The density of salt water helps support LARGE ocean animals such as the large sharks and huge whales.

                                                                 

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