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Rutgers Marine & Coastal Sciences: Cool Classroom
Students and teachers can explore the work of marine scientists and observe the ocean from their computers. Learn about Rutgers Coastal Ocean Observation Laboratory, discover why oceanography is important, and see what life is like in...
Other
Beloit College: K 12 Geology
This is a good source of basic information about density currents in water. It includes simple activities you can do to demonstrate these currents.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Introduction to the Atmosphere
A detailed overview of the Earth's atmosphere, with explanations about atmospheric properties, the structure of the atmosphere, its four layers, atmospheric processes, energy heat transfer, conduction and convection, and radiation. All...
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Chesapeake Interactive Modeling Project
Understand the basic characteristics of circulation in the Chesapeake Bay, by allowing students to change the wind speed and velocity, and the freshwater forcing through a number of subestuaries, and observe the resulting surface height,...
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Ocean Currents
Students map the patterns of the major ocean currents, and learn about the influences of wind, water temperature, landmasses, and water density on currents.
NPR: National Public Radio
Npr: Rubber Ducks Make Cross Oceanic Voyage
This radio broadcast describes the tracking of rubber ducks that were accidentally dumped into the north Pacific Ocean in 1992. Scientists are learning a lot about ocean currents as the ducks arrive on land in various countries.
Other
Thousands of Rubber Ducks Land on British Shores After 15 Year Journey
This news article from June '07 describes the arrival in Britain of thousands of rubber ducks that were accidentally dumped into the north Pacific Ocean in 1992. Scientists have been tracking them ever since in order to learn more about...
Smithsonian Institution
National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Planet: Staying on Top
This is the story of the infamous Nike shoes that washed off a cargo ship. The shoes later showed up along beaches, giving oceanographers another clue as to how ocean currents move.
Rice University
Rice University: Museums Teaching Planet Earth: What Is the Hydrosphere?
Focus is on the hydrosphere and contains the definition as well as characteristics of the ocean and the effect of the ocean on climate.
Other
Nanoos: Well, Well, Well [Pdf]
This lesson provides young scholars the opportunity to investigate the relationship between winds, surface currents, sea temperature and upwelling and downwelling off the coast of Oregon and Washington.
Bill Nye
Bill Nye: Current Event
This tutorial from Bill Nye uses ice, salt, water, and food coloring to explain how ocean currents are caused by the flow of heat and salt.
Enchanted Learning
Enchanted Learning: Zoom School: Oceans
Find out why the oceans are blue and what causes waves by clicking here. There is a table of information about the four oceans as well as interesting facts on waves, salinity, and tides.
Science Struck
Science Struck: Facts About Prevailing Westerlies
Explains what prevailing westerlies are and the impact they have on weather systems around the world.
NASA
Nasa: Ocean Motion: Wind Driven Surface Currents: Upwelling and Downwelling
Explains what upwelling and downwelling of ocean currents are, and the impact of Ekman transport and the Coriolis effect on current movement as well as where they occur. The effects of upwelling and downwelling on water temperature and...
NOAA
Noaa: Ocean Explorer: Hot, Cold, Fresh and Salty
Learners simulate ocean water characteristics in order to recognize that the effects of salinity and temperature are the drivers of thermohaline circulation.
Other
Usc: Climate Controls
An effective presentation of six main climate controls: latitude, land vs. water, geographic position, altitude, currents, pressure and winds.
TED Talks
Ted: Ted Ed: How Do Ocean Currents Work?
Jennifer Verduin dives into the science of ocean currents.
Center for Educational Technologies
Nasa: Classroom of the Future: Spheres: Hydrosphere
Use this site to learn about the millions and trillions of gallons of water that covers the earth, known as the hydrosphere.
PBS
Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Ocean Zones
Discover more about the underocean environment at this site that surveys animals, environmental factors such as light and temperature, currents, animals, plants, and the like.
Morning Earth
How Life Works: Biosphere Is Process: Atmosphere and Ocean Currents
Learners examine the Earth science topic of oceanography. The tutorial consists of definitions and pictures on atmosphere and ocean currents.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Surface Ocean Currents
Describes how wind patterns and other factors cause ocean surface currents. [Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.]
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Deep Ocean Currents
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How different densities of water drive ocean currents.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Wind Waves
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How winds form ocean waves.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Wind Waves
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Wind picks up water and forms ocean waves that travel along the surface.