TOPIC - OCEAN FEATURES
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A Watered Down Topographic Map - NOAA Ocean Explorer 
Lesson PlanSummary
Students create scaled models of the sea-floor features and then generate bathymetric maps based on their models. This activity helps illustrate various sea floor topographic features and shows students how these features are translated into two-dimensional bathymetric maps.
There is one ocean with many basins and features shaped by the movement of the earth
Education Standards
75 minsMapping Deep-Sea Features - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students use actual bathymetric data to create a two-dimensional contour map of sea floor topographic features. Next, students create a three-dimensional model of the landform on the contour map they have created to illustrate how features are translated from three-dimensional to two-dimensional models.
There is one ocean with many basins and features shaped by the movement of the earth
Education Standards
The Biggest Plates on Earth - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students use maps of the Pacific Basin to determine tectonic plate movement and differentiate the three types of boundaries that typically occur between tectonic plates.
Ocean and land movement has shaped the geologic features of the earth.
Education Standards
The Galapagos Spreading Center - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students use a model to illustrate seafloor spreading and the formation of new seafloor using the Galapagos Spreading Center system as an example.
Ocean and land movement has shaped the geologic features of the earth.
Education Standards
Sediment Bottle - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students mix a variety of sediments with water in a clear container to observe particle separation based on size.
Mud Is Mud...Or Is It? - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students compare various types of deep sea sediments and evaluate the variables in each sediment type which could affect its suitability as habitat for living organisms.
The Nitrogen Cycle - COSEE Coastal Trends
Lesson PlanSummary
Students put together “puzzle piece” print-outs of the compounds comprising the nitrogen cycle and string the pieces together to reconstruct the pathways of the cycle.
The ocean is an integral part of the geochemical cycles. It is connected to land-based waterways, which transport materials to the ocean.
Education Standards
Carbon Cycle Game - Windows to the Universe
Summary
Students learn how carbon cycles through the Earth system through an online game.
The ocean is an integral part of the geochemical cycles. It is connected to land-based waterways, which transport materials to the ocean.
Education Standards
