Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the old heaven and the old earth had passed away, and the sea was no longer there.
Also I saw the holy city, New Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared like a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.
I heard a loud voice from the throne say, “See! God’s home is with mankind, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and he himself, God-with-them, will be their God. He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will no longer be any death; and there will no longer be any mourning, crying or pain; because the old order has passed away.”
Then the One sitting on the throne said, “Look! I am making everything new!”
Also he said, “Write, ‘These words are true and trustworthy!’”
And he said to me, “It is done! I am the ‘A’ and the ‘Z,’ the Beginning and the End.
To anyone who is thirsty I myself will give water free of charge from the Fountain of Life.
He who wins the victory will receive these things, and I will be his God, and he will be my son.
But as for the cowardly, the untrustworthy, the vile, the murderers, the sexually immoral, those involved with the occult and with drugs, idol-worshipers, and all liars — their destiny is the lake burning with fire and sulfur, the second death.”
I am at a loss for words to describe the power and beauty of these ocean waves…
So I thought I would share a few scriptures about the Creator of the sea, our Father God.
Psalm 93:4 “The Lord on high is mightier than the noise of many waters, yea, than the mighty waves of the sea.”
Isaiah 51:15 “But I am the Lord thy God, that divided the sea, whose waves roared: The Lord of hosts is his name.”
Jeremiah 31:34-35 “And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lord: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. Thus saith the Lord, which giveth the sun for a light by day, and the ordinances of the moon and of the stars for a light by night, which divideth the sea when the waves thereof roar; The Lord of hosts is his name.”
Luke 21: 25-26 “And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; Men’s hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.”
May you be blessed today with knowing our Father God who is the Creator God. He created you and me and the ocean waves.
We love visiting the ocean. We have been blessed a few times to experience this amazing place that Father God has created. There is nothing quite like standing on the edge of land and the edge of the vast ocean. You can’t walk any further and the water lifts you up and down, and with the pounding waves, you can only swim for so long. It doesn’t take long to realize your body was meant for land. It is like standing between two worlds. There is a very distinct boundary where these two worlds meet and life in one is completely different than life on the other. Yet the two are intimately intertwined by a great Intelligent Designer, our Creator, Father God. WOW!
We were very excited to learn about a Marine Biology science course that we can use this school year that focuses on life in the oceans so we can understand this amazing water world. We are currently reviewing Exploring Creation WithMarine Biology 2nd Edition Advantage Set and the Marine Biology 2nd Edition Audio CD by Apologia Educational Ministries. This course is the perfect addition to our homeschool learning journey.
EXPLORING CREATION WITH MARINE BIOLOGY — ADVANTAGE SET
Textbook 2nd Edition
Hard Back Book
557 pages
Illustrated
16 Modules
Lessons, Questions, Answers,
Lab Experiments
Student Notebook
Spiral Bound Book
505 pages
Illustrated
Notes, Questions, Study Guide, Module Summary,
Lab Experiments.
Test Book
Soft Back Book
50 pages
Module Tests and Quarterly Tests
Solutions and Tests Manual
Soft Back Book
211 pages
Answers for Text Modules & Tests:
Study Guides, Summaries,
Module Tests, Quarterly Tests, and all Solutions.
Highschool Science
College Prep
Prerequisite: Biology
This is an award winning college prep science course for highschool students who have taken biology. The Advantage Set includes a Textbook 2nd Edition, Solutions and Tests Manual, Tests Book, and a Student Notebook.
Additional supportive materials for this Marine Biology course are also available at the Apologia website, including an MP3 Audio CD of the text, an Instructional DVD that contains the entire course and demonstrations of the lab experiments, as well as Super Science Kit and Science Supplies like the Dissection Kit. If you prefer to buy just the Textbook or other items as a single item instead of as a “set”, they are also available for individual purchase too.
The Exploring Creation With Marine Biology Advantage Set is intended to be used for 34 weeks (that is 2 semesters, an entire school year of science!). It contains 16 Modules for approximately 230 +/- lessons, study guides, questions, vocabulary, and module summaries that dig deep into the ecology of the oceans on earth. The Lesson Plan schedule is designed for 45 minutes per day for 5 days a week. At this pace, students complete 1 Module, including the related lab experiments and tests, every two weeks.
Module 1: The Oceans Of Our Planet
Module 2: Life In The Sea
Module 3: The First Four Kingdoms
Module 4: Marine Invertabrates 1
Module 5: Marine Invertabrates 2
Module 6: Marine Vertabrates 1
Module 7: Marine Vertabrates 2
Module 8: Marine Ecology
Module 9: The Intertidal Zone
Module 10: Estuary Communities
Module 11: Coral Reefs
Module 12: Continental Shelf Communities
Module 13: The Epipelagic Zone
Module 14: The Deep Ocean
Module 15: Ocean Resources
Module 16: Effects Of Humans On The Sea
This course has a biblical world view of marine science. Through out this course, students learn about the oceans and the relationship between ocean habitat and the animals and plants that live there and it points to Father God as the Creator of all life. This course is filled with fascinating information about the oceans, creatures that live in the water including some bizarre creatures. All of the creatures in this course have amazing abilities created by our amazing Father God to bring him glory.
Even though learning about Marine Biology and Ecology can be a challenging subject to learn, this course through Apologia is written in conversational style and contains many helpful resources to help students understand and master the materials. There is an additional online learning aid called “Book Extras” available to help students master the course. Information about the Book Extras Website and the access code is available in the textbook.
Sherri Seligson
Author Sherri Seligson, scientist and homeschool mom, has created a user-friendly course homeschoolers will love. She is the author of several science courses. She is experienced and excited to share her knowledge about life in God’s oceans and helps students get excited about learning. Check out this video with Sherri Seligson and her Marine Biology Course.
Our Experience
We received the Marine Biology 2nd Edition Advantage Set that includes the Textbook, a Student Notebook, the Tests Book, and Solutions and Tests Manual written by Sherri Sheligson. We also received the Marine Biology 2nd Edition Audio CD of the text read by Marissa Leinart for the purpose of this review.
This course is very well designed and is intended to last for an entire school year. It contains tons of information in the 16 modules with nearly 230 +/- lessons, reviews, workbook assignments, labs, and tests, etc. I was very pleased to learn this course will count for a full highschool science credit, and it also counts as an advanced college prep course at the same time.
Audio CD:
The textbook has been put on audio! This is great news for audio learners! The text is recorded on an MP3 Audio CD for optional support for student.
We found this Audio CD to be a very helpful resource and helps keep the course moving at a good pace.
My son used the CD on our computer and listened to the text being read out loud while wearing his earbuds and reading along in his textbook. When we placed the CD into the computer, it showed up on the screen as a small phone-like looking graphic, and when we clicked on it, it had each module and lesson from the text listed as well as a time counter so you don’t loose your place.
The Audio CD can be “synced” with any compatible MP3 device, however we just used it on the computer. He could stop it at anytime he needed and repeat something if he needed to hear it again. We really liked using the CD because my son was able to avoid getting bogged down with complicated words by reading right along with the text as it is being read out loud.
Textbook:
I like the textbook. It is a huge heavy duty extra large hardback book. It has bright pictures and easy to read pages and uses various colors of ink to emphasize different things for the student to pay attention to.
The pages have a variety of information, vocabulary, pictures, graphs, things to think about further, scriptures, etc. The pages are laid out in a way that is not overwhelming to the student.
Lab Experiments:
Each module contains several lab experiments. There is a list of supplies needed with each experiment and a master list of all the supplies needed for the course in the appendix at the back of the Textbook. You can buy supplies wherever it is convenient for you (online, local stores, etc), and some items you will likely already have around your house.
There are three categories of lab experiments in this science course:
Household Lab Experiments require items found around most homes.
Microscope Lab Experiments require prepared slides and a microscope. Check the website for resources.
Dissection Lab Experiments require marine animals, plants, etc. and related tools for dissection. Check the website for resources.
Lab Experiment Example:
One of the experiments my son did was learning about salinity and evaporation of ocean waters.
We had some sea salt crystals in the cupboard.
He ground the salt crystals into a fine powder.
Then he made salty sea water by mixing the ground sea salt into hot water that he heated on the stove and stirred it until it dissolved completely.
After the sea salt had completely dissolved in the hot water, he poured the salt water in to a glass bowl and let the water evaporate completely over the course of a few days.
He was left with dried out sea salt that coated the sides and base of the bowl and all of the water was gone.
There are so many great lab experiments in this course kids will have a blast learning about life in the ocean. This course and the lab experiments are very interesting and so far my son is enjoying all of them.
Student Notebook:
I love the student notebook in this course! My son loves it too. I plan to order two more notebooks for my other two older sons so they can all use this course together for highschool science credits. They will be able to share the same Textbook, Solutions Mannual, and CD, they just each need their own Student Notebook and Test Book.
The student notebook provides an organized, complete lesson plan for the entire year. Each day is listed with what my son needs to read and what activities to complete. He can check off his progress as he works his way through the course.
The student notebook has plenty of space for notes at the front of each corresponding module so he can add as notes or ideas as he reads the textbook.
The student notebook also contains a full section at the back called a Lab Notebook for all of the lab experiments listed in the Textbook.
The Lab Experiments are the same information in the Textbook modules including materials lists, instructions, pictures, charts, etc. but it also includes questions and spaces to record their scientific observations and conclusions too.
At the very back of the Student Notebook, there is a section called Presenting Research. Included are instructions and examples for making a professional presentation of your scientific research, including making posters, graphs, citing references and the supporting research, and a checklist. This is very handy if your student plans to present their experiments at a science fair, county fair, coop, or other presentation.
Tests and Solutions Manual:
The softcover Solutions and Tests Manual and Student Tests Book contains tests, test solutions, and answers to the module study guides.
Videos:
Video about Apologia Advantage Science Set and Super Science Set
Video Experiment 13 Salinity, Temperature and Density
Module 6 Rays and Skates
FREE SAMPLES
Check out this page for free course samples. To access the samples, after going to the page link below, click on “download” next to the “more info” and it will give several options for free downloads of text lessons and experiments, MP3, student notebook, and more:
Overall, we are very pleased with this science course from Apologia. They have done a great job creating this course and all the support materials to help students master Marine Biology.
We love visiting the ocean. Now with the knowledge of Marine Biology, we will be able to understand more about the wonderful and amazing life and systems in the oceans.
We are so grateful for the wonderful products Apologia offers for homeschool families. Their products have truly enriched our lives, encouraged our faith, and we love that through out the learning adventure, they point people back to Father God. Both my son and I highly recommend the Marine Biology course! Be blessed!
Social Media
Be sure to check out Apologia Educational Ministries on their social media links for all the latest news and product updates. They have a lot to offer!
The ocean is an amazing thing. Did you know water covers over 70% of the earth’s surface? Scientists claim they have only explored 5% of the ocean so far. That leaves a whole lot of mystery about this beautiful habitat that is so vital to the world in so many ways. I would encourage everyone to visit the ocean at least once if they get the opportunity. Your senses will be overwhelmed and rejuvenated by the experience.
It is amazing to listening to the roar of the waves, get your feet wet or go for a swim, wait and watch for fish or dolphins to breach the surface, to observe birds swooping down to catch a fish, or sighting an occasional fishing boat out to sea. The ocean is always changing and you could spend hours watching it.
Our family loves to visit the ocean! We are usually blessed to take a day drive and visit the sea a couple of times a year. Sometimes we drive several hours just to get out and walk the beach and splash in the waves for two hours and then get back in the vehicle and drive several more hours back home. Depending on which beach we visit, it takes us about 4 hours to get to the closest one. It is a long ways to drive, but it is free to use the public beaches. If we pack a cooler with food and water, then the only cost involved is the fuel to drive there. With a large family, getting to do something fun for FREE is a big deal.
On a few occasions, we have been blessed with the opportunity to spend the night instead of driving there and back all in one day. Those overnight experiences by the sea have been exceptional. It is hard to describe the amazing way you feel when you wake up to the ocean, and get up with the sun rise, spend the day in the salty air, then get to observe the sunset, and listen to the waves in the dark of night as the stars twinkle overhead. It is wonderful!
Learning To Draw By The Sea.
We recently had the opportunity to stay overnight on a visit to the ocean. We spent the morning and evening playing on the beach, but in the heat of the day, we needed something else to do to avoid getting a serious sunburn. We did not bring electronic games or computers that are part of our normal homeschooling day. Instead, we played board games like chess, put together fun puzzles, and spent part of our time learning to draw with the art kits we recently made.
It was so nice to have our portable DIY Art Kits. Be sure to check the story with information on how to make one for your family.
The kits were small enough to go just about anywhere with us, yet they were big enough to hold just about everything we needed.
For some reason that I can’t remember, I didn’t get pictures of the kids drawing. I guess I must have been so excited about the view, and the opportunity to sit there and draw, that I failed to get up and take pictures of what the others were making too.
For this project, I used the watercolor pencils. I had hoped to make a project with paints too, but I didn’t have time to accomplish both on this trip. My older son chose to use charcoal pencils from his kit, and the younger kids used crayons. I pulled out a small table onto the porch to hold my drawing pad and pencils.
It was a bit windy on this day. I separated the pencils colors that I wanted to use from the case holding the pencils. I set them beside my drawing pad, however the wind kept blowing them off and I was constantly having to get up and down to catch a pencil before it rolled off the porch. I realized the next time I take this art kit on a trip, I will need to bring something better to hold the colors I am using. Perhaps something as simple as a rubber band or a small tray with sides would have solved my problem.
From the porch where I sat, I could see a long ways in the distance across the ocean and the beach up and down the coast. To the front of me was ocean as far as I could see, and to the left was a small fishing vessel that soon disappeared while I was drawing. I tried to capture both in my drawing. The waves were the most difficult part to draw because they kept moving. Drawing the ocean wasn’t easy because even though it appears the same, in reality each and every moment it keeps changing.
Learning to draw by the sea was fun and it is an experience our family will never forget.
“And God called the dry land Earth; and the gathering together of the waters called he Seas: and God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:10
On a recent trip to see the ocean, I was amazed at the variety of sea shells by the shore.
The waves constantly washed up an incredible number and variety of shells and deposited them on the sandy beach.
It was like a never ending gift, with each crash of the waves, thousands of new shells landed in the sand.
Every shell was different.
I was in awe that the Lord God has made such variety of shapes, colors, and sizes of shells and the variety of species that use shells as a covering.
The kids were curious to identify what creatures use the different shells. We plan to have some fun matching shells with their occupants.
Some shells get discarded and a new creature takes residence in the empty shell. We were fortunate to find some creatures had taken up residence already.
Sometimes the shells are spread out on the surface of the sand, and sometimes the shells are piled close together. The shells left on the shore go on for miles and miles.
I watched several people collecting shells. Some came with bags and others with buckets every morning and evening and they spent hours combing through the shells left behind by the waves. I realized they are not only collecting shells, but they also sell these shells. Some of the shells are also used in crafts and sold in souvenir shops
I thought it would be fun to teach the kids a tongue twister about sea shells that I had learned as a young girl. A tongue twister is when you say similar sounding words over and over quickly without making a mistake. However, it is not as easy as it sounds and you will likely mess up or get “tongue twisted”. The kids think this is hilarious.
“She sells sea shells by the sea shore.
The shells she sells are surely seashells.
So if she sells shells on the seashore,
I’m sure she sells seashore shells.”
I want to encourage you to spend time with your kids today. Observe and explore with them the amazing things Father God has created all around you. There is an amazing variety of gifts right in front of our eyes that often goes ignored. No matter where you are, you will find something incredible if you just take time. This is an opportunity to connect with your kids in a special way and point them to their Heavenly Father. You might find a funny tongue twister to try with your kids too and you will surely get plenty of giggles and laughter on the learning adventure.
We got up early and before it was light we headed out to the edge.
We marched forward in the darkness, walking from hard dirt to shifting sand until we could not go any farther.
We had to stop. We were created with specific strengths and limits and we had to stop and recognize our habitat ends at this line. Who set this boundary? Who drew this line in the sand?
In the darkness one might miss the clarity of this line. But if your ears are open, then it is unmistakable that even in the dark there was a change in our path. The roar of the water is mighty. It’s song drowns out the sound of the city and the night. It deafens the sound of motors and all other man-made creations. Someone incredible put this line here and gave it a mighty sound so even in darkness it was unmistakable.
It clearly defines the boundary below our feet. There are no more roads, no cars, no buildings, no houses, no people, not even trees, no…this line of roaring waters defines a boundary line.
The sky was beginning to shine forth with light separating the day from the night. Standing in one place looking to the east we saw the new day and to the west we still saw the night. We were standing at a boundary line between domains of powerful waters and land, but also between times, between day and night.
The reality of this moment is surreal and amazing! It is encouraging and we waited patiently for the light.
It climbed slowly and steadily.
The waters kept roaring. Their pace was rhythmic and never changing.
The rhythm seemed as if it were trying to lure me to sleep, back and forth, back and forth.
But all my senses were awake. I could smell the energy in the air, I could agree with the rhythm with each breath I took. I could feel the steady pace of life just like my own heart beating. I could taste the salty air as it passed my tongue and as it filled my lungs it electrified and recharged my body.
There is life in this rhythm. It churns up oxygen and minerals that bubbles and froths and is teaming with new life.
Even the birds were excited. They instinctively know the ebb and flow of the water brings abundance into their life and they find nourishment.
It bears witness to the Creator.
The living God. There is none like him. He is the provider. He is the daily bread of heaven. He is the water of life. All those who come to him will be saved and will never thirst for eternity.
We met many others on the journey to the water’s edge. They come to enjoy the inspiring moments of a new day as it dawns.
The light transforms our view. It bounces all around before the sun even appears over the horizon.
Everything takes on a new vibrancy. Colors seem to pop! Details previously unseen suddenly overwhelm the senses and there is a new awareness.
The birds are very excited. The growing light points out the location of their next meal. They dance in the air above the waves in anticipation, expecting provision. They do not worry. Then when there is just enough light, they quickly dive into the water and select their free gifts for the day.
I am dancing too. On the edge. On the line. In the moment I become part of the the rhythm and I dance and wait.
My feet are wet. My toes tingle. My nose is full of sweet salty air that energizes my breaths and my beating heart. My eyes are drawn to the dawning light and I wait.
My spirit is encouraged.
I wait. I know it will be here soon.
My Father in Heaven set this plan in motion.
I can rejoice and dance as carefree as a little child.
I feel alive. I trust my Father’s plan and provision completely. He drew this line. He put this boundary here. I trust him.
The waves rise and fall and rise again, washing the shore. The rhythm is a song in my heart and mind. It reminds me there is a plan, it is not random.
He sent his only begotten son to redeem me, heal me, and wash me clean. My robe is washed by the lamb, Jesus, my savior. God sent his son to redeem all those who would believe and call upon him.
It is a new day, a day the Lord God has made.
Sing about his goodness, I will sing about his provision for my needs. I will tell the world about his love and his mercy. I will praise his name forever.
In him only will I place my trust. His plan is perfect. His plan is in motion. I will trust him with my life and my eternal home.
Have you ever watched the setting of the sun at the beach?
It is such a beautiful site.
We spent a November evening on a North Carolina beach watching the sun go down.
The Fall air was cool and crisp, but we didn’t let that hinder our joy.
There is something very special and exciting about being at the water’s edge.
The colors in the sky were beautiful!
The smell of the ocean and the sensation of breathing in the salty air is a completely different experience than our day to day experience. If feels energizing, like it is renewing something inside the body and the mind.
I could watch the ocean and sky for hours and never get tired of the view.
The sand feels amazing and was cool to the touch. We collected some seashells along the beach.
We saw a flock of pelicans flying above us.
Even though it was chilly, we decided to get our feet wet.
We tried to catch the waves coming into the shore.
The waves and the pull of the under tow current were quite powerful and knocked us off our feet several times.
One fella didn’t want to get wet. He said it was too cold.
But the rest of the group was eager to get wet from head to toe even though we only agreed to get our “feet” wet.
Even though the water was cold and the current was strong, I enjoyed getting my feet in the water too. The waves kept a constant rhythm with perfect timing.
It felt so peaceful.
We enjoyed an evening walk on the beach and walked to a fishing peer not far from where we played.
The sun set was stunning behind the peer.
It gave the appearance of a glowing fire off in the distance.
The fishing peer went out so far and then was blocked at the end. It seemed as if the peer would have gone further, but perhaps had been lost in a storm.
Even though a major hurricane, Hurricane Matthew, had come through days earlier, the rest of the peer was still in good standing and many folks were using it for fishing and enjoying the evening.
I loved the contrast of the peer and the evening sky and ocean waves.
You could sense the determination of this peer to withstand whatever the elements of nature could beat it with.
The structure seemed to rebel against the constant waves, the salty air, and the gusts of wind.
The setting sun was gorgeous! It peered through the dark clouds sandwiched between the sky and the water.
This experience reminds us of what it might of been like at the beginning. The bible talks about the beginning.
“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
And God said, “Let there be light,” and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness. God called the light “day,” and the darkness he called “night.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the first day.
And God said, “Let there be a vault between the waters to separate water from water.” So God made the vault and separated the water under the vault from the water above it. And it was so. God called the vault “sky.” And there was evening, and there was morning—the second day.
And God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered to one place, and let dry ground appear.” And it was so. God called the dry ground “land,” and the gathered waters he called “seas.” And God saw that it was good.”
Genesis 1:1-10
Looking away from the sun, in the opposite direction, the sky and the water seemed to be a reflection of each other, a matching blue that seemed to go on forever.
But looking towards the sunset, the colors were vibrant and seemed layered like a rainbow that had been deconstructed.
Sitting above the waves, felts as if we were sitting on them. Resting on the benches of the peer was a special experience.
The peer puts you out on the water, away from the shore.
Though you are sitting still, everything around you is in motion and has a rhythm of it’s own. Everything is moving with a beat, the water, the sky, the salty air on your face, and the sound it all makes has a nourishing rhythm that feeds the soul.
All your senses are enhanced and focused on the beat, the soothing sound of the moving water and the amazing colors of the sky.
After we watched the sun set, we walked up the beach a little bit further for some food. Later we came back outside to watch the beach in the darkness.
We sat on the steps of a small gazebo looking out over the water. It was so peaceful.
A long way out, there was a small twinkle of light from ships on the water.
We could also see the lights of the fishing peer reflect on the water.
But otherwise, we could no longer depend on our eyes to understand our environment. We could not see the sky, and we could not see the water, we could only sense they were still there in the darkness.
Instead of using our eyes, we tuned our ears to the sounds of the night. All we could hear was the familiar sound of the waves hitting the beach in a soothing rhythm. It was peaceful.
The older kids and I wanted to stay outside all night, but the younger kids and daddy were getting sleepy, so it was time to head inside. Bedtime seemed to come too quickly, yet we welcomed the end of this day feeling relaxed and renewed.
We definitely want to experience the sun setting on the beach again soon.
A long way out, there was a small twinkle of light from ships on the water. 
