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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Changing Planet: The Case of the Leaky Gyre

For Teachers 7th - 10th
The fascinating video "Changing Planet: Fresh Water in the Arctic," introduces your oceanographers to the world's gyres. They learn that melting sea ice is making the gyres larger, and that the changes could, in turn, contribute even...
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Density Dynamics

For Teachers 6th - 12th
Students set up working models demonstrating lake turnover and the formation of deep water masses in the oceans.
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Lesson Plan
Curated OER

Sea and Ice Salinity

For Teachers 6th - 10th
Students conduct an experiment.  In this salinity instructional activity, students learn about sea ice, why it is important and how changing amounts can affect the sea.  Students conduct an experiment to find out the effects of...
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Online Course
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Open Course Ware: Atmospheric and Ocean Circulations

For Students 9th - 10th
This course outline offers resources focused on the circulation of the atmosphere and ocean.
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Article
Society for Science and the Public

Science News for Students: Climate Change Could Stall Atlantic Ocean Current

For Students 9th - 10th
When carbon dioxide levels rise, the currents slow, which leads to temperatures dropping because of the lack of water movement. Europe could suffer as a result of this change.
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Website
NOAA

Noaa: The Ocean's Role in Weather and Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of resources - interactive activities and teacher tutorials - on the impact the ocean has on weather and climate.
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Unit Plan
CPALMS

Florida State University Cpalms: Florida Students: What Causes Weather?

For Students 5th - 7th
Determine parameters of weather; including specifically temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind direction and wind speed in this tutorial. During this tutorial, you will relate the jet stream and ocean circulation to the causes of...
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Lesson Plan
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Blossoms: Will an Ice Cube Melt Faster in Freshwater or Saltwater?

For Students 9th - 10th
Engage learners in the study of the ocean and saltwater with these activities. Students will see that saltwater has different physical properties than freshwater - mainly density. This lesson can serve as a springboard into other...
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eBook
Other

Earth Science: Earth's Surface and Heat [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 8th
This textbook chapter looks at the role of temperature in sustaining life on Earth and on weather and climate. It discusses the Earth's movements and the seasons, the circulation of the oceans, wind and weather, and the water cycle....
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Lesson Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Sea and Ice Salinity

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the effects of salinity on the formation of sea ice, and whether salt water freezes more quickly or more slowly than fresh water.
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Handout
NASA

Nasa Earth Observatory: Ocean and Climate Fact Sheet

For Students 9th - 10th
Read about Earth's oceans and the effects that climate have had on the rising temperatures over the past one hundred years. Discover how the Earth's ocean and atmosphere are interlocked so that when one changes, the other is affected.
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Handout
NASA

Nasa: Ocean Motion: Wind Driven Surface Currents: Upwelling and Downwelling

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
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Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: How Ocean Currents Moderate Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Looks at how ocean currents transfer heat from one place to another.
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Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Deep Ocean Currents Study Guide

For Students 9th - 10th
This comprehensive study guide covers the main terms and concepts needed for an earth science unit on deep ocean currents. Review questions are included at the bottom of the study guide.