Can You Build Your Shipwright?

Students will start by completing a webquest on the different equipment that can be found at an ocean observatory. They will explore a variety of research equipment used to determine the biochemical and geophysical activities of our oceans. Students will be able to compare and contrast data for inshore vs offshore mooring systems and gliders.

Then students will be given grant money to decide which equipment they will need to conduct their research, keeping in mind restraints such as ship dimensions, storage, food, fuel, etc. Students will then design a blueprint of a research vessel and create a slideshow discussing the rationality of their design with the class.

Authors: Carisa Ketchen, Melissa Kilgore, Adam Reis, Stacey Sebert; EARTH 2018

Lesson Resources

• Overview presentation
• Lesson Plan
• Research Vessel Equipment Webquest [Teacher version]
• Research vessel equipment options
• CER Rubric