Exploring the World's Oceans with NOAA and Google Earth

Project 2061 Benchmarks:

3.A.2 Technology is essential to science for such purpose as access to outer space and other remote locations (ocean), sample collection and treatment, measurement, data collection and storage, computation, and communication of information.

3.C.2 Technology cannot always provide successful solutions for problem or fulfill every human need.

National Science Education Standards

F.5.c Technology influence society through its products and processes. Technology influences the quality of life and the ways people act and impact. Technology changes are often accompanied by social, political, and economic changes that can be beneficial or detrimental to individuals and to society. Social needs, attitudes, and values influence the direction of technological development.

Kindness in: Research for the common good.

Perseverance in: Research and Analysis

Discipline in: Commitment to Research 

Skills: Satellite Image Interpretation, Scientific communication

Learning objectives:

1. Students will be able to list the five oceans.

2. Students will be able to recall the basic functions of NOAA and Google Earth.

3. Students will be able to recall basic facts about the ocean, such as its size, major oceans, and some common marine life. (e.g., "List three major oceans.").

4.Students will be able to explain the importance of the ocean for life on Earth. (e.g., "Describe how the ocean regulates Earth's climate.").

5.Students will be able to explain how NOAA and Google Earth can be used as tools for ocean exploration.

 6. Students will be able to describe the characteristics used to define and compare oceans (geographic location, size, depth, temperature, currents, marine life, environmental problems).

 7. Students will be able to use NOAA and Google Earth to locate and identify their assigned ocean.

8. Students will be able to use the tools to find information about the specified characteristics of their assigned ocean.

9. Students will be able to differentiate between the types of information that can be obtained from NOAA versus Google Earth.

10. Students will be able to compare and contrast the characteristics of their assigned ocean with other oceans (once research is complete). (This could also fall under Evaluating, depending on the depth of comparison)

11. Students will be able to assess the reliability of information found on NOAA and Google Earth, considering potential biases or limitations. (This is crucial for research skills)

12. Students will be able to evaluate the importance of each characteristic (geographic location, size, etc.) in understanding the ocean ecosystem.

13. Students will be able to synthesize the information gathered from NOAA and Google Earth to create a comprehensive report or presentation about their assigned ocean.

 1. Engage (Engage):

• Essential Question: What secrets do the depths of the oceans hold?
• Activity: Show students impactful images of marine life, underwater landscapes, and ocean events (tsunamis, hurricanes, etc.) to arouse curiosity and wonder.
• Discussion: What do students know about the oceans? What would they like to learn?

2. Explore (Explore):

• Introduction to NOAA and Google Earth: Explain to students what these tools are and how they can use them to explore the oceans.
• Activity: Divide students into groups and assign each group one of the five oceans.
• Task: Using NOAA and Google Earth, students will investigate the following characteristics of their assigned ocean:
  • Geographic location
  • Size
  • Average depth
  • Water temperature
  • Ocean currents
  • Characteristic marine life
  • Environmental problems it faces

3. Explain (Explain):

• Presentation of Findings: Each group will present their findings to the rest of the class, using maps, images, and data obtained from NOAA and Google Earth.
• Discussion: Compare and contrast the characteristics of the different oceans.
• Key Concepts: Introduce concepts such as salinity, tides, tectonic plates, and their relationship to the oceans.

4. Elaborate (Elaborate):

• Creative Project: Students will create a project that demonstrates their understanding of ocean characteristics. Some options include:
  • Model: Create a model of a specific marine ecosystem.
  • Presentation: Develop a digital presentation on a topic related to the oceans (e.g., marine pollution, climate change).
  • Video: Record a short video explaining an oceanographic concept.
• Debate: Organize a debate on a controversial topic related to the oceans, such as overfishing or the exploration of submarine mineral resources.

5. Evaluate (Evaluate):

• Rubric: Create a rubric to assess student projects, considering the following criteria:
  • Content: Is the information correct and complete?
  • Creativity: Is the project original and creative?
  • Presentation: Is the project well organized and presented?
  • Teamwork: Did students collaborate effectively?
• Reflection: At the end of the unit, students will write a short essay reflecting on what they learned and how this information has changed their perspective on the oceans.

Additional Resources:

• NOAA Education: Offers a wide variety of educational resources, including lessons, activities, and oceanographic data. (https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/education/)
• Google Earth Voyager: Allows you to explore the world through guides created by experts, including guides on the oceans.

Additional Tips:

• Integration of other areas: Relate the study of oceans to other areas of the curriculum, such as life sciences, Earth sciences, and mathematics.
• Use of technology: Take advantage of other technological tools such as YouTube videos, interactive simulations, and virtual reality to enrich the learning experience.
• Encourage research: Encourage students to research beyond the resources provided in class.

By combining hands-on exploration with NOAA and Google Earth, this 5E lesson will provide students with a deep and meaningful understanding of the oceans and their importance to the planet.