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Super Science @ Your Library
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Machine Mania
Jacques Cousteau & Submarines



Children will learn all about Jacques Cousteau and the machines he invented.
Grade Level: K-2



Yaccarino, Dan
The Fantastic Undersea Life of Jacques Cousteau
A picture book biography of Jacques Cousteau
Berne, Jennifer
Manfish: A Story of Jacques Cousteau
Jenkins, Steve
Provides a top-to-bottom look at the ocean, from birds and waves to thermal vents and ooze.
Lock, Deborah
Submarines and Submersibles
Follows a team of scientists down to the ocean's depths in a vivid introduction to the world of underwater craft.


My Deep Sea Story

Materials: Crayola Gel FX markers, glue sticks, pencils, black construction paper, cardstock

Share images from the book: Down, Down, Down: A Journey to the Bottom of the Sea by Steve Jenkins. (Share section: "Glowing in the Dark", which shows how some deep sea animals use bioluminescent to make themselves glow.)

Give each student one piece of cardstock and have them write a short story describing the types of creatures they might see in the deep sea.

Give each student a piece of black construction paper. Have them draw a scene using the Crayola Gel FX markers. Glue ocean scene to the cardstock.

See the Crayola's Glow Fish Under the Sea lesson plan for a similar idea.



Aqua Lung: The first machine that would let a diver breathe underwater for long periods of time.

Bioluminescence: Emission of visible light by living organisms such as the firefly and various fish, fungi, and bacteria.

Invention: A new device, method, or process developed from study and experimentation

Submarine: A vehicle that can travel underwater

Submersible: A vehicle that can travel underwater, deeper than a submarine


Additional Resources: