STANDARD - MOTIONS AND FORCES
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Take Ride on the Gulf Stream - COSEE Coastal Trends 
Lesson PlanSummary
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
45 minsWhat is climate? - Exploring Earth, TERC, McDougal Littell
Summary
In this interactive website, students follow prompts to explore the various factors that control global and local climate.
Changes in ocean circulation patterns affect weather and climate.
Education Standards
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.
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
Ocean Drifters - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students first learn about the different groups of plankton and their characteristics. Then the students make a model plankton cell which is neutrally or slightly negatively buoyant.
Photosynthesis by marine plants produces much of the oxygen in the atmosphere and uses much of the carbon dioxide.
Education Standards
Where Will the Stripers Be? - University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science
Summary
Students examine the influence of abiotic factors on the location of populations of Chesapeake Bay Striped Bass through analysis of temperature and dissolved oxygen data.
Hatch to Catch - Bigelow Laboratory and Dartmouth College
Summary
In this web-based simulation activity, students manipulate environmental variables in order to create optimal environmental conditions that will generate high “hatch” to “catch” survival rates in newly spawned lobster larvae.
