Morning Earth
How Life Works: Biosphere Is Process: Atmosphere and Ocean Currents
Learners examine the Earth science topic of oceanography. The tutorial consists of definitions and pictures on atmosphere and ocean currents.
American Geosciences Institute
American Geosciences Institute: Earth Science Week: Ocean Currents Change Our Earth
Middle schoolers learn about the factors that drive ocean currents by measuring the density of ocean water and tap water.
NASA
Nasa: Ocean Motion: Wind Driven Surface Currents: Upwelling and Downwelling
Explains what upwelling and downwelling of ocean currents are, and the impact of Ekman transport and the Coriolis effect on current movement as well as where they occur. The effects of upwelling and downwelling on water temperature and...
PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Great Ocean Conveyor Belt: Part I
This image from GRID-Arendal depicts the major circulation pattern of the ocean, illustrating interactions between temperature, salinity, and depth. Includes a background reading handout and several discussion questions.
NOAA
Noaa: The Ocean's Role in Weather and Climate
A collection of resources - interactive activities and teacher tutorials - on the impact the ocean has on weather and climate.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Lab 5: It's All Connected: Global Circulation
An investigation that is part of a series of lab lessons that expose students to Earth Systems through research, data, and visualizations. During this lab, students will focus on the pathways of wind and water to and from their location...
Climate Literacy
Clean: Ocean Currents and Sea Surface Temperature
To discover the link between ocean temperatures and currents as related to our concern for current climate change.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Earth Science: Surface Ocean Currents
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Describes how wind patterns and other factors cause ocean surface currents.
Georgia Department of Education
Ga Virtual Learning: Weather and Climate
In this amazingly comprehensive interactive tutorial you will learn how factors such as ocean currents, topography, and air currents affect weather patterns. You will also learn the similarities and differences between weather and climate.
NASA
Nasa Earth Observatory: Ocean and Climate Fact Sheet
Read about Earth's oceans and the effects that climate have had on the rising temperatures over the past one hundred years. Discover how the Earth's ocean and atmosphere are interlocked so that when one changes, the other is affected.
PBS
Nh Pbs: Nature Works: Ocean Zones
Discover more about the underocean environment at this site that surveys animals, environmental factors such as light and temperature, currents, animals, plants, and the like.
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College
Serc: Mn Step: Sinking Water: Glaciers, Ocean Currents and Weather Patterns
A lesson where students learn how warm water is less dense than cold water, and what this means for global climate change as ice from the polar regions melts. Students will do experiments in buoyancy and water density when hot or cold,...
Texas A&M University
Ocean World: Bringing the Ocean to the Classroom
Online resource for students and teachers to see information on icebergs, fisheries, coral reefs, waves, currents and more. Provides teachers with learning activities. Has its own ask-an-expert site (Ask Dr. Bob), and provides real-time...
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: News in Science: Global Warming Won't Halt Ocean Current
From ABC News in Science, Larry O'Hanlon's article discusses climate change in the face of several climate models and poses both the good and the bad news associated with global warming.
NOAA
Noaa: Tropical Atmosphere Ocean Project
This site introduces you to one of the most ambitious projects now studying the influence of the ocean on climate. Links are available to related sites and to sources of real-time data.
Cosmo Learning
Cosmo Learning: The Atmosphere, the Ocean, and Environmental Change
A collection of video lectures from a course that explores the physical processes the control Earth's atmosphere, ocean, and climate that is taught at Yale University. The course covers topics like clouds, rain, severe storms, regional...
Other
Usc: Climate Controls
An effective presentation of six main climate controls: latitude, land vs. water, geographic position, altitude, currents, pressure and winds.
NOAA
Noaa: National Weather Service: Jetstream: The Ocean
Online school for weather presents a complete guide to the ocean and its effect on our weather such as El Nino, hurricanes, floods, and droughts. Explores layers of the ocean, sea water, waves, tides, rip currents, and more. A review...
The History Cat
The History Cat: Geography Phenomenon: Hurricanes
Describes how ocean currents affect climates around the world and the impact of the Gulf Stream, which can cause hurricanes to form. The role of wind patterns in the Caribbean is also discussed.
Other
Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute: Home Page
Use this excellent site to search the volumes of material available at MBARI about the ocean and climate.
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Australian Broadcasting Corporation: News in Science: Churning Sea Surprises Ocean Watchers
From ABC News in Science, this article examines the role that ocean currents play in global warming and climate issues. The article covers the impact of the Antarctic circumpolar current and its affect on surrounding oceans.
CK-12 Foundation
Ck 12: Fifth Grade Science: Earth Science: Climate and Its Causes
[Free Registration/Login may be required to access all resource tools.] Discusses what a climate is, how it is related to latitude, how oceans influence climate, and how mountains affect climate.
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
Ucar: Climate Discovery Teacher's Guide: Investigating Climate Present
Lesson plans on the following: Carbon cycle: Carbon Dioxide Sources and Sinks, Nitrogen Cycle: Traveling Nitrogen, Ocean and Atmosphere: Make Convection Currents, Energy Cycle: Albedo
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Education: Tomorrow's Forecast: Oceans and Weather [Pdf]
A lesson unit for Grades 4-9 on how the ocean affects climate and weather. Includes worksheets (also in Spanish) and maps.