Summary

What is really under the salt water in our worldwide oceans? This four-part activity will guide students to explore, investigate, and analyze our mysterious ocean floors. Students will work collaboratively to investigate ocean observing systems around the world to gain understanding of the Earth’s oceans and how scientists are studying these ecosystems. Students will also learn to navigate through Google Earth to find and utilize data points, graph them electronically, and produce a 3-D model of the topographical features on the ocean floor from one point to another. Students will use this information to analyze the importance of mapping the ocean floor and the future of ocean technology and conservation. 

Web Resources

• Google Earth—http://www.google.com/earth/index.html (must download and install if you don't already have it installed)
• Cornell Notes—http://coe.jmu.edu/LearningToolbox/cornellnotes1.html
• Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI)—http://www.mbari.org/mars/
• Alaska Ocean Observing System (AOOS)—http://www.aoos.org/
• Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI)—http://www.oceanobservatories.org/
• U.S. Integrated Ocean Observing System (IOOS)—http://www.ioos.gov/
• Global Ocean Observing System (GOOS)—http://www.ioc-goos.org/
• Integrated Ocean Observing System Regional Partners—http://www.ioos.gov/partners/regional.html

Seafloor Mapping in the News

Climatide (WGBH): (07/11/11)
Five reasons seafloor maps are important for everyone