Ocean Motion In Your Classroom

Abstract

The ocean motion web site (http://oceanmotion.org) provides a toolbox of satellite data and classroom ready materials for high school teachers and students to investigate ocean surface currents. The ocean has played a major role in the history of human civilizations, explorations and commerce, which makes the ocean surface an exciting environment for scientific research, as well as, adventure. The scientific study of ocean surface currents provides numerous connections to traditional topics studied in history, geography, biology, chemistry, mathematics and physics. Study of the ocean surface is also of great relevance for social, economic, and humanitarian reasons. Ocean and atmospheric circulation interact to play an essential role in sustaining life by moderating climate over the earth's surface. Investigate a multi-year record of global data for sea surface temperature, height, winds, and ocean color. These global data are made available to teachers, students and the general public through an easy-to-use interface. The range of topics covered by the teacher and student guides, their stand-alone style and focus on traditional science concepts will promote their use in traditional science and mathematics classrooms.