SUBJECT - ECOLOGY
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Global Climate Change and Sea Level Rise - California Academy of Sciences 
Lesson PlanSummary
Students conduct a hands-on activity which demonstrates that it is the ice formations on land that cause a rise in sea level upon melting, not those on water.
Sea level has changed and continues to change over time. These changes shape the land.
Education Standards
45 minsSea Level Rise and Storm Surge - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students use topographic maps and tide data to predict coastline flooding associated with sea level rise. In a companion exercise students predict the extent of flooding due to storm surge.
The height of the ocean water (sea level) is affected by various physical forces and, in turn, affects coast lines.
Education Standards
Understanding Sea Level Using Real Data - The NOAA Ocean Education Project
Summary
Using real-time data, students learn how to access and interpret sea surface height and tide data through a series of five lessons.
The height of the ocean water (sea level) is affected by various physical forces and, in turn, affects coast lines.
Education Standards
Surface Circulation Model - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students construct a clay model to become familiar with the forces which produce circulation patterns in ocean basins and to predict patterns or eddy development with variances in bathymetry.
Ocean circulation is interconnected and is powered by wind, tides, force of Earth
Education Standards
Take Ride on the Gulf Stream - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students use ocean observing system data to track and define various aspects of the Gulf Stream.
Ocean circulation is interconnected and is powered by wind, tides, force of Earth
Education Standards
The Nike Shoe Investigation - UCLA Marine Science Center
Summary
In 1990, a container ship lost 60,000 pairs of sneakers in rough seas. Students calculate the speed and direction of the major surface currents in the north Pacific gyre by tracking and plotting the pathway of the floating sneakers.
Ocean circulation is interconnected and is powered by wind, tides, force of Earth
Education Standards
Investigating Tides and Phases of the Moon - Ocean Globe UCLA
Lesson PlanSummary
Students use lunar cycles and tide charts to graph the inter-relationship between tidal patterns and lunar cycles.
Ocean circulation is interconnected and is powered by wind, tides, force of Earth
Education Standards
Local Weather and the Ocean - COSEE Coastal Trends
Summary
Students investigate the influence of the ocean on local weather by comparing temperatures in coastal and inland locations.
The Water Cycle and Global Warming - BioEd Online
Summary
Students trace the effects of global temperature change on oceanic surface levels through model and laboratory investigations.
The ocean plays a major role in the water cycle, which drives changes in weather and climate.
Education Standards
What is climate? - Exploring Earth, TERC, McDougal Littell
Summary
In this interactive website, students follow prompts to explore the various factors that control global and local climate.
Changes in ocean circulation patterns affect weather and climate.
Education Standards
