Grade Level: 3-5
This activity is one of a series in the collection, The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change activities.
This activity is one of a series in the collection, The Potential Consequences of Climate Variability and Change activities.
In this activity, students make a claim about the cause of ocean currents and then develop a model to explain the role of temperature and density in deep ocean currents. This lesson is modified from "Visit to an Ocean Planet" Caltech and NASA/Jet Propulsion Laboratory.
Students analyze the stability and change of sea level after watching a visualization of sea level height around the world.
The ocean's surface is not level, and sea levels change in response to changes in chemistry and temperature. Sophisticated satellite measurements are required for scientists to document current sea level rise.