Graphing temperatures in the ocean.

Students will construct, analyze, and interpret real data from a profiling float in the ocean. Students will explore ocean temperature trends and climate change. Students will develop critical thinking, geographical, mathematical, graphing, analyzing, and interpretation skills.

Cover image: Global map of average Sea Surface Temperature (SST), NASA. https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/3652

Topics

Authors

Amber Phillips

Teacher Resources

Next Generation Science Standards

Crosscutting Concepts
  • Cause and effect
Core Ideas
  • ESS2.C: The Roles of Water in Earth’s Surface Processes
  • ESS2.D: Weather and Climate
  • ESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth SystemsESS3.C: Human Impacts on Earth Systems
Practices
  • Analyzing and interpreting data
  • Engaging in argument from evidence

Ocean Literacy Fundamental Concepts

  • 1.D: Sea level is the average height of the ocean relative to the land, taking into account the differences caused by tides. Sea level changes as plate tectonics cause the volume of ocean basins and the height of the land to change. It changes as ice caps on land melt or grow. It also changes as sea water expands and contracts when ocean water warms and cools.
  • 7.E: Use of mathematical models is now an essential part of ocean sciences. Models help us understand the complexity of the ocean and of its interaction with Earth’s climate. They process observations and help describe the interactions among systems.,