Lesson 2 Science

Cold Currents



http://edweb.sdsu.edu/triton/JGarciaResearch/LessonTemplate1.html

by

Jackie Bonventre
Russ Nielsen

Objective

The students will understand how water temperature affects currents in the ocean.

Direct Instruction


Begin with a short film on current generators. this will explain what currents are and how they are formed. The class will be able to create their own currents simply by using different temperatures of water.

Lab

This lab should be completed as a class rather then in seperate groups. After freezing colored ice cubes, the students will observe the currents put forth by the cold water from the ice cubes.
Materials
  1. Food coloring
  2. Ice trays
  3. Clear large container of water (fish tank preferable)

Directions
  1. Mix food coloring in water.
  2. Freeze it in ice cube trays
  3. Fill a large clear container full of water
  4. Place ice cubes into container of still water

Discussion

The students should be able to observe the color bands as they flow down from the ice cube as melting. The students should diagram the path of the flowing currents. Inferring that the cold ater is heavier than the warm water. The students will be able to generalize tehat ocean currents can be caused by differences in temperature.

Homework

The students must write a summary of what happened during their lab. They must include an explanation of why this occurred and a diagram of what they observed.
Last updated May 17,1997.

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