Course 12.307 is an undergraduate course intended to illustrate, by means of …
Course 12.307 is an undergraduate course intended to illustrate, by means of ‘hands on’ projects, the basic dynamical and physical principles that govern the general circulation of the atmosphere and ocean and the day to day sequence of weather events. The course parallels the content of the new undergraduate textbook Atmosphere, Ocean and Climate Dynamics by John Marshall and R. Alan Plumb.
In this video, students see how data from the ice core record …
In this video, students see how data from the ice core record is used to help scientists predict the future of our climate. Video features ice cores extracted from the WAIS Divide, a research station on the West Antarctic Ice Sheet.
The three short activities in this collection explore adaptations that help whales …
The three short activities in this collection explore adaptations that help whales survive in the ocean. The activities include demonstrations and experiments.
In this video, Jonathan travels to Holbox, Mexico in search of the …
In this video, Jonathan travels to Holbox, Mexico in search of the massive whale sharkŰÓthe worldŰŞs largest fish. Reaching 50 feet long, these animals grow larger than a school bus, but they are completely harmless since they eat only plankton and small fish. Jonathan gets up close and personal to a mouth the size of a small car in his investigation to discover why so many whale sharks visit Holbox every summer. Please see the accompanying study guide for educational objectives and discussion points.
In the Web-based game Whale Watcher, students take on the role of …
In the Web-based game Whale Watcher, students take on the role of an Ocean Adventures expedition member in charge of filming various gray whale behaviors as the team follows the whales on their annual migration. Use the tips and handouts provided below to turn the Whale Watcher game into a structured learning activity for your students.
Water has unique properties, density is one of the most important as …
Water has unique properties, density is one of the most important as it is related to convection and density driven circulation in the ocean. Liquid water is densest at 4ºC, not the solid ice phase, which is lighter. This explains why ice floats in the ocean and cold, dense liquid water sinks. Saltwater adds another dimension by increasing the density of water. The combination of temperature and salinity produces a overturning, density driven circulation in the ocean or thermohaline circulation.
Convection circulation is the thermally driven with warm, less dense water rising and cold, dense water sinking, similar to boiling water on the stove. A short video demonstration of thermohaline circulation, called wind in a bowl illustrates the warm rising and cold sinking convection circulation. The video also shows that ice floats and the meltwater from the ice sinks. This demo could be conducted live in class.
The lesson should include a discussion of the properties of water, density and convection circulation with a demonstration of the properties. Then have the students work together on a problem in which warmer water than the bowl water is added to the surface of water. What would happen to the circulation? Then discuss how thermohaline circulation can be disrupted and how this relates to abrupt climate change and examples from the past such as the Younger Dryas. This can be demonstrated by adding warmer water than the bowl water (20ºC) with green food coloring to the water bowl.
A box model is used to simulate the build up of carbon …
A box model is used to simulate the build up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere during the industrial era and predict the future increase in atmospheric CO2 levels during the next century.
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This activity allows students to explore sea level rise. The experiment allows …
This activity allows students to explore sea level rise. The experiment allows them to test whether land ice and/or sea ice contribute to sea level rise as they melt.
This quiz game is intended to help students review for an upcoming …
This quiz game is intended to help students review for an upcoming exam. Topics of questions are randomly determined by spinning a wheel. Teams answer questions using electronic CPS handhelds.
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College-level adaptation of the Earth Exploration Toolbook chapter. Students explore the critical …
College-level adaptation of the Earth Exploration Toolbook chapter. Students explore the critical role phytoplankton play in the marine food web.
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In this video you learn what happens when a Beluga whale, normally …
In this video you learn what happens when a Beluga whale, normally found far north in the arctic, suddenly shows up in a Bay in Nova Scotia? What happens when she starts swimming with people and approaching boats full of tourists? This segment shows how one incredible friendly whale transformed a town, and captured the hearts of children and adults alike. Please see the accompanying study guide for educational objectives and discussion points.
This animated visualization was created for the planetarium film 'Dynamic Earth'. It …
This animated visualization was created for the planetarium film 'Dynamic Earth'. It illustrates the trail of energy that flows from atmospheric wind currents to ocean currents.
In this problem-based learning (PBL) scenario, students prepare a presentation for investors …
In this problem-based learning (PBL) scenario, students prepare a presentation for investors showing how their fishing company has a significant advantage because it locates upwelling zones and fishing areas using TRMM (Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission) and other satellite data. Prior to launching the PBL, students learn about wind: the topics of air pressure, coriolis effect, upwelling and the role of differential heating on the atmosphere are explored in classroom demonstrations. Materials required include a beaker, coffee grounds, drinking straw, balloon, flashlight, and turntable. The resource includes teacher background information, glossary, assessment rubric, and an appendix introducing problem-based learning.
This is a full color, worldwide, animated weather map using GIS interface …
This is a full color, worldwide, animated weather map using GIS interface showing current and projected wind and other weather conditions for any location in the world. Data can be viewed at different spatial scales.
They have big, sharp teeth, long eel-like bodies, and they look like …
They have big, sharp teeth, long eel-like bodies, and they look like they could bite your fingers right offŰÓbut Jonathan can pet them. TheyŰŞre Wolffish, and in this video Jonathan visits both Atlantic and Pacific species. You wonŰŞt believe the amazing encounters he has with these friendly but mean-looking fish. Please see the accompanying study guide for educational objectives and discussion points.
Students read popular science books and write a synopsis of the book, …
Students read popular science books and write a synopsis of the book, linking the topic(s) covered in the book with those covered in class. This activity is designed for a large geoscience lecture course to aid students in improving their understanding of the topics we cover. In addition, students tend to get lost in large science courses; they may arrive with misconceptions about science and their ability to perform well in a science course. This assignment allows students to do some extra work and improve their grades. It presents science as an intriguing story while emphasizing topics covered in class. The intended outcome is to deepen student understanding of specific topics and to lower students' anxiety about their ability to "do science".
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Students write about the important aspects of a species of sea life, …
Students write about the important aspects of a species of sea life, including physical characteristics, habitat, behaviors and interaction with humans and also provide a video that addresses that sea life along with a short summary. The video and its respective summary are then required to be uploaded to a discussion board so students can share what they learned about the species that they selected.
Just because you can̢ĺŰĺŞt see it doesn̢ĺŰĺŞt mean it isn̢ĺŰĺŞt there. Whether …
Just because you can̢ĺŰĺŞt see it doesn̢ĺŰĺŞt mean it isn̢ĺŰĺŞt there. Whether it sinks or floats, plastics in the sea spell trouble for all the animals in the ocean. By matching animal cards to plastic risks, students find out the many ways marine life can be affected by plastics in their aquatic home.
This activity allows students to make El Nino in a container, but …
This activity allows students to make El Nino in a container, but it might work better as a teacher demonstration. The introduction and information provided describe El Nino, its processes and its effects on weather elsewhere in the world.
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