This site uses data from ocean drifting buoys to integrate ocean science into classroom science and math instruction. Opportunities exist to enhance lessons with suggested educational activities and curriculum materials developed and tested by teachers. Teachers can also use only the data, background information and reference images to supplement existing curricula. Data is collected by the National ... Full description.

This computer-based lesson provides information on ocean currents, circulation and atmospheric influences. Several sections cover "drift" studies, including the famous Nike Tennis Shoe study. Each segment provides relevant information and gives students questions to answer. Incorrect responses result in more information. This unit is part of an on-line course in general oceanography offered at San ... Full description.

In this National Geographic Xpedition lesson, students learn about ocean waves. They begin by learning the components of a wave, and then discuss the meaning of wave height and wavelength. A demonstration sparks discussion about how to make waves, and an activity with the National Geographic Wave Simulator allows students to experiment with creating waves of varying sizes. Full description.

This site provides information on the many aspects of the study of the sea surface from space. Measuring the ocean surface topography provides information for studying global ocean circulation and the oceans heat budget. Regular scanning of the ocean surface to maintain a database of ocean surface topography can help predict short-term changes in weather and longer-term patterns of climate. Educational ... Full description.

Until recently, the total energy imparted to the oceans from the moon's gravitational pull has not been fully accounted for: about 30 percent had seemingly vanished without mathematical explanation. The total energy dissipating along the world's shallow areas and coasts don't add up to the expected total. However, data collected by the U.S./French satellite called TOPEX/Poseidon may provide the answer. ... Full description.

Estuaries are partially enclosed bodies of water along coastlines where fresh water and salt water meet and mix. They act as a transition zone between oceans and continents. This site examines various aspects of estuaries, focusing on the geological features that make an estuary, as well as the water circulation patterns by which they are classified. It also has a section that allows the user to access ... Full description.

This Web site offers a review of the surface circulation of Earth's ocean and classroom investigations appropriate for various disciplines at the high school level. Articles and video interviews about ocean current research, interactive data visualizes, news articles, simplified models, teacher and student guides are included. This site highlights use on-line satellite data of Earth for understanding ... Full description.

This site provides multiple access points to all types of El Nino data. It describes both El Nino and La Nina conditions, as well as the impacts of an El Nino event and the benefits of El Nino prediction. Through this portal site one can also find information on current El Nino conditions and forecasts, the instrumentation used in the scientific study of this phenomena, and links to both El Nino animations ... Full description.

Visitors to this resource will find information about U.S. marine sanctuaries - their history and current management, their scientific and educational programs, and their continuing efforts to conserve our nation's ocean and coastal treasures. A national calendar provides information on the many exciting events that take place in the sanctuaries throughout the year. Within the 13 sections of the site, ... Full description.

This activity prepares the student to launch an investigation of the relationship between precipitation and Streamflow for a local watershed. It can enrich a study of the water cycle. Following the step-by-step instruction in this case study, students will locate, download, format, and finally graph one year of Web-based data for these two variables. Included is a graph that highlights the details ... Full description.