STANDARD - CONSTANCE CHANGE AND MEASUREMENT
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Surface Circulation Model - COSEE Coastal Trends 
Lesson PlanSummary
Students construct a clay model to become familiar with the forces which produce circulation patterns in ocean basins and to predict patterns or eddy development with variances in bathymetry.
Ocean circulation is interconnected and is powered by wind, tides, force of Earth
Education Standards
45 minsTake Ride on the Gulf Stream - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students use ocean observing system data to track and define various aspects of the Gulf Stream.
Ocean circulation is interconnected and is powered by wind, tides, force of Earth
Education Standards
Local Weather and the Ocean - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students investigate the influence of the ocean on local weather by comparing temperatures in coastal and inland locations.
Hurricane Tracking - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students select a named hurricane and plot its course using latitude and longitude data provided by National Hurricane Center reports to illustrate the concept that hurricanes originate in and travel across the ocean. Students also conduct research on the formation of their selected hurricane and the amount of damage it caused.
Hurricanes and Climate - Windows to the Universe
Summary
Students use maps and data to learn about the connections between hurricanes and climate, including regional climate conditions, where hurricanes form and how global climate change may be affecting hurricanes.
The ocean plays a major role in the water cycle, which drives changes in weather and climate.
Education Standards
Your Own El Nino - NOAA Education
Lesson PlanSummary
Students use a model that recreates trade winds and upwelling to illustrate the changes in circulation that are associated with the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
Changes in ocean circulation patterns affect weather and climate.
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History's Thermometers - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students track climate changes through changes in oxygen isotopes using data from deep-sea corals.
Ocean processes have major effects on global climate change; global climate change could have major impacts on the ocean.
Education Standards
Top to Bottom - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students explore the possible impacts on deep sea ecosystems associated with changes in thermohaline circulation resulting from climate change.
Ocean processes have major effects on global climate change; global climate change could have major impacts on the ocean.
Education Standards
Where have all the glaciers gone? - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students investigate how changes in climate are affecting sea-ice, vegetation, and glaciers in the arctic, region. Students explore the “positive” and “negative” results of these changes.
Ocean processes have major effects on global climate change; global climate change could have major impacts on the ocean.
Education Standards
Photosynthesis and Respiration in Seagrass - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students conduct a hands-on experiment that illustrates how different levels of light affect photosynthesis and respiration in seagrass. Note: instructor may need to be creative with timing of the experiment to allow for an adequate incubation period.
Photosynthesis by marine plants produces much of the oxygen in the atmosphere and uses much of the carbon dioxide.
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