Oceanogrphy

Ocean from space

This term we will be studying marine science.  We start with oceanography which helps students understand ocean. I love to open oceanography with a video clip I found on TED: Ideas Worth Knowing.  Bob Ballard does a great 16 minute talk on why we should explore the ocean.  Bob Ballard is a great speaker and the students find his talk very interesting. http://www.ted.com/talks/robert_ballard_on_exploring_the_oceans.html

Students will each have their own blog this term.  The focus this term will be on educating the public about issues facing our oceans.   I polled the students  last term and half like blogging the other half would rather write in a journal.  I explained to the students that it is important to have a variety of ways to assess or evaluate learning.  Some students like project grades while others would rather take a written test.  Blogging is just another tool I use to determine if they understand the issues.  Also, blogging gives me a chance to understand their point of view along with giving them a chance to research a topic that interest them.

 The oceanography unit includes:
a. Introduction to oceanography
b. History of oceanography
c. Activity: Careers Mobile 
d. Activity: Boat design and race  

Career Mobile:  Students pick an oceanographer (biological, chemical, physical, geological, geophysical and engineering).  Next, they research their oceanographer and pick a topic. Once they pick a topic, they have to find a scientist that  studies their topic. Then they build their mobile.

Example: Geological Oceanographer, topic: hydrothermal vents or underwater volcanoes - students would then look for a scientist that studies on of these topics  They also have to include a job description, university you could attend, classes you would take, and five instruments this oceanographer would use.  Then they have to present their mobile in class.

Boat Design:  Student have to build a sail boat. It has to fit on half a sheet of computer paper, have a sail, keel and rudder.  It must carry 20 marbles as cargo and sail down a stream table (100 cm) without touching the sides.  A hair dryer is our stationary wind source.  They must complete 3 trials, average the time and calculate velocity/sec.  I have three classes and the fastest time sets the 100.   Students have time to design and test their boat in class before the actual race.  It is a cool activity and the students really get into to it. 

If you teach aquatic science and are looking for good engaging activities you might try  web site  http://www.tryengineering.com/.  They have a lot of great activities. Another good site is NOAA's "Ocean Explorer",  it has a lot of really neat activities based on real research.
 http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov/