SUBJECT - ECOLOGY
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Sea Level Rise and Storm Surge - COSEE Coastal Trends 
Lesson PlanSummary
Students use topographic maps and tide data to predict coastline flooding associated with sea level rise. In a companion exercise students predict the extent of flooding due to storm surge.
The height of the ocean water (sea level) is affected by various physical forces and, in turn, affects coast lines.
Education Standards
60 minsUnderstanding Sea Level Using Real Data - The NOAA Ocean Education Project
Summary
Using real-time data, students learn how to access and interpret sea surface height and tide data through a series of five lessons.
The height of the ocean water (sea level) is affected by various physical forces and, in turn, affects coast lines.
Education Standards
Surface Circulation Model - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
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
Take 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.
The Water Cycle and Global Warming - BioEd Online
Summary
Students trace the effects of global temperature change on oceanic surface levels through model and laboratory investigations.
The ocean plays a major role in the water cycle, which drives changes in weather and climate.
Education Standards
What 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
