SUBJECT - MECHANICS
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Case Study: Upwelling - Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute 
Lesson PlanSummary
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
Sediment Bottle - COSEE Coastal Trends
Lesson PlanSummary
Students mix a variety of sediments with water in a clear container to observe particle separation based on size.
Density Driven Currents - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students add fresh water to dyed salt water in graduated cylinders or “density tanks” to demonstrate density differences in ocean and coastal waters and how these differences drive currents.
Monitoring Estuarine Water Quality - The NOAA Ocean Data Education Project
Summary
In this series of activities, students use data to explore temperature, dissolved oxygen, and salinity in ocean waters. In “Level 4,”students are asked to relate environmental conditions to Atlantic Sturgeon migration.
90+ minsSurface 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
Ocean Power - U.S. Department of Energy
Summary
Students investigate methods used to generate energy from physical ocean processes as well as design an Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC) system.
The ocean affects human life in many ways. The ocean provides many resources for humans.
Education Standards
90+ mins
