Article
Society for Science and the Public

Science News for Students: Climate Change Could Stall Atlantic Ocean Current

For Students 9th - 10th
When carbon dioxide levels rise, the currents slow, which leads to temperatures dropping because of the lack of water movement. Europe could suffer as a result of this change.
Handout
Texas A&M University

Ocean World: Currents

For Students 9th - 10th
Get some information about ocean currents on this site. Learn that currents can be driven either by the winds or mixing at deeper levels.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: How Ocean Currents Moderate Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Looks at how ocean currents transfer heat from one place to another.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: How Ocean Currents Moderate Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] How ocean currents transfer heat from one place to another.
Lesson Plan
American Geosciences Institute

American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Ocean Currents Change Our Earth

For Teachers 6th - 8th
Students learn about the factors that drive ocean currents by measuring the density of ocean water and tap water.
Unit Plan
PBS

Pbs Learning Media: Great Ocean Conveyor Belt: Part I

For Students 9th - 10th
This image from GRID-Arendal depicts the major circulation pattern of the ocean, illustrating interactions between temperature, salinity, and depth. Includes a background reading handout and several discussion questions.
Unit Plan
Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution

Woods Hole Oceanography Institute: Deep Ocean Circulation

For Students 9th - 10th
What causes the circulation of ocean waters that are too deep to be affected by wind? Find out how salinity and temperature drive the deep sea currents. This resource has several videos and an online quiz.
Activity
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: One World Ocean

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
In this activity, students learn about ocean currents and the difference between salt and fresh water. They use colored ice cubes to see how cold and warm water mix and how this mixing causes currents. Also, students learn how surface...
Online Course
Cosmo Learning

Cosmo Learning: Ocean Currents

For Students 9th - 10th
The atmosphere forces the ocean in three ways: addition and removal of heat, precipitation and evaporation, and wind stress. The former two processes influence the density of sea water. Gravity acts on these density differences to cause...
Website
Museum of Science

Museum of Science: Ocean Currents

For Students 3rd - 8th
An introduction to ocean motion that focuses on ocean currents. Includes instructions for conducting an experiment to further understanding.
Website
US Navy

Office of Naval Research: Ocean Currents

For Students 9th - 10th
Probe the basics of ocean currents and be ready for the "quick quiz" upon completion of your reading. A concise and effective site supplemented with drawings.
Handout
University of Southern California

University of Southern California: Ocean Currents and Climate

For Students 9th - 10th
The climate of our planet is greatly affected by Earth's oceans. Learn here about the different oceanic currents and the role those currents play on climate.
Handout
NASA

Nasa: Ocean Motion: Wind Driven Surface Currents: Upwelling and Downwelling

For Students 9th - 10th
Explains what upwelling and downwelling of ocean currents are, and the impact of Ekman transport and the Coriolis effect on current movement as well as where they occur. The effects of upwelling and downwelling on water temperature and...
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Planet: Staying on Top

For Students 9th - 10th
This is the story of the infamous Nike shoes that washed off a cargo ship. The shoes later showed up along beaches, giving oceanographers another clue as to how ocean currents move.
Website
Rice University

Rice University: Ocean Currents and Tides

For Students 9th - 10th
This URL will start you out at the site map for Rice University's study of longitude and navigation. Scroll to the section titled "Oceans" and you will find some very good information on surface currents, especially those of the South...
Article
DOGO Media

Dogo News: Tiny Sea Animals May Drive Sea Currents

For Students 3rd - 8th
New research suggests that very tiny sea creatures in very huge numbers may contribute to the movement of the oceans' currents. Debate and more research are still necessary to prove this. Includes video.
Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Lab 5: It's All Connected: Global Circulation

For Teachers 9th - 10th
An investigation that is part of a series of lab lessons that expose students to Earth Systems through research, data, and visualizations. During this lab, students will focus on the pathways of wind and water to and from their location...
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Deep Ocean Currents

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Learn how water with different densities drives deep ocean circulation.
Unit Plan
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Surface Ocean Currents

For Students 9th - 10th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes how wind patterns and other factors cause ocean surface currents.
Handout
CK-12 Foundation

Ck 12: Earth Science: Surface Ocean Currents Study Guide

For Students 6th - 8th
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] This study guide summarizes key points about surface currents on the ocean. Includes a few questions to check for understanding.
Website
NASA

Nasa: Sci Jinks: How to Escape Rip Currents

For Students 9th - 10th
Rip currents can be dangerous. Discover what they are and how you can be safe when they are present.
Activity
Bill Nye

Bill Nye: Current Event

For Students 9th - 10th
This tutorial from Bill Nye uses ice, salt, water, and food coloring to explain how ocean currents are caused by the flow of heat and salt.
Website
Smithsonian Institution

National Museum of Natural History: Ocean Planet

For Students 9th - 10th
Detailed website that was a companion to a 1995 traveling exhibit of the Smithsonian. Links to lesson plans and other educational materials are at the bottom of the page. Enter the exhibition to explore the world of the ocean.
Website
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Ocean World

For Students Pre-K - 1st
A link to a website with information about the ocean. Learn about ocean processes, oceanography, physical oceanography, and get real-time ocean data. Site contains college-level and beyond textbook as well as teaching materials.

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