In this activity, students create a hands-on model of an ocean ecosystem to gain an understanding of how humans can alter biodiversity through their actions. Students use differing levels of fishing technology to explore the concepts of sustainability and overfishing. eaching science can be quite a challenge. Both elementary and middle school teachers usually have time constraints: they also have to balance student interest with required curricula. From our experience in working with teachers and students, we have found that marine science (or oceanography) is one branch of science that meets with a positive response. Students in urban settings often do not know much about the ocean; therefore, their curiosity is piqued. Although concepts such as biodiversity, food webs, and ecosystems may seem abstract for elementary-age students, hands-on activities involving models may help students gain a better understanding of these ideas.The primary objective of the model we present in this article is to help students see firsthand how a species can be affected by human activities. In this case, that activity T HlLLARY OLSON-DEMME is the visitor education coordinator at the Naturul History Museum of Los Angeles County. For more than nine years. Ms. Olson-Dernme hus been involved with informal science education at outdoor schools. planetaria, parks, cmd museums. She is cutrently pursuing a master's degtre in science education at the Univer.sity of Southern California.

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