STANDARD - ORIGIN AND EVOLUTION OF THE EARTH SYSTEM
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Draw the ocean as you see it - COSEE Coastal Trends 
Lesson PlanSummary
In this ice-breaker activity, students draw what they know about the ocean.
30 minsExploring Ocean Observing Systems - COSEE Coastal Trends
Lesson PlanSummary
Students explore web-based data collected by ocean observing systems as an introduction to the parameters these systems measure.
New technologies are expanding our ability to explore the ocean.
Education Standards
Designing Tools for Ocean Exploration - NOAA Ocean Exploration
Summary
Students design instruments that could potentially collect water, sediments, and infauna from the deep ocean, demonstrating the concept that new technologies allow us to learn more about the ocean.
New technologies are expanding our ability to explore the ocean.
Education Standards
Case Study: Upwelling - Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute
Summary
Students correlate sardine populations changes with upwelling events using mathematical model output and wind and water circulation data from the Monterey Bay.
Mathematical models are an essential tool for understanding ocean sciences.
Education Standards
Where is My Bot? Dead Reckoning and Navigation with Nautical Charts - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
Students interpret authentic data to establish the position of an underwater robot conducting a survey of coral reefs off the coast of Bonaire. The activity demonstrates how technology (GPS), mathematics (geometry), and geography are all used to investigate a biological system (coral reefs).
A Watered Down Topographic Map - NOAA Ocean Explorer
Summary
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
Mapping 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
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.
