Introductory activity in which students determine how much of the earth is covered by the ocean. Adapted from an activity developed by the Lawrence Hall of Science.

Materials        

• 16” Inflatable globe
• Instructions with data table (download below)

Procedure       

1. Inflate globe
2. Have students form pairs; each pair tosses the globe 10 times to each other. This means that each partner catches the globe 5 times for a total of 10.
3. On the table (copy below or download from Lesson Resources) record how many fingers touch the ocean on each toss.

Data Table

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Toss #	# Fingers in Ocean
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Total %

*Alternatively, you can do the activity as a class, tossing the globe around the room and keeping track as a group how many fingers touch the ocean with each toss.

Lesson Resources

Instructions with data table