Begin the lesson by introducing the Mariana Trench, the deepest part of the world's oceans, located in the Pacific Ocean. Discuss its geographic location and dimensions to set the stage for exploration.

Engage students with a map showing the location of the Mariana Trench, highlighting its proximity to the Mariana Islands and its immense depth compared to Mount Everest.

Explain the geological process of subduction that forms the Mariana Trench. Use diagrams to illustrate how the Pacific Plate is forced under the Mariana Plate.

Discuss the challenges faced by scientists exploring the trench, such as immense pressure, darkness, and cold temperatures.

Watch the video 'Why Our Oceans Matter – Quiz Edition' to understand the significance of oceans and their role in Earth's climate and ecosystems. This video reinforces key concepts through an engaging quiz format.

Discuss historical expeditions to the Mariana Trench, highlighting notable explorers like James Cameron and Victor Vescovo.

Have students create a model of the Mariana Trench using clay or other materials to understand its dimensions and geological features.

Assign students to research and write a short report on one of the historical expeditions to the Mariana Trench, focusing on the challenges faced and discoveries made.

Use the 'Earth’s Landforms' assessment to evaluate students' understanding of various landforms, including ocean trenches, and their characteristics.

Conduct a class discussion to reflect on the importance of the Mariana Trench in understanding Earth's geological processes and marine ecosystems.

Use the 'Comprehension – Earth’s Landforms' assessment to test students' understanding of landforms and the processes that shape them.

Encourage students to explore further by researching other deep-sea trenches and comparing them to the Mariana Trench.