Science Buddies
Science Buddies: Ocean Currents: Modeling 'Global Conveyor Belt' in Your Kitchen
Ocean currents have a profound effect on the climates of the continents, especially those regions bordering on the ocean. The Gulf Stream makes northwest Europe much more temperate than any other region at the same latitude, and the...
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.
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.
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,...
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.
Other
Earth Science: Earth's Surface and Heat [Pdf]
This textbook chapter looks at the role of temperature in sustaining life on Earth and on weather and climate. It discusses the Earth's movements and the seasons, the circulation of the oceans, wind and weather, and the water cycle....
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...
Ducksters
Ducksters: Earth Science for Kids: Ocean Waves and Currents
Kids learn about ocean waves and currents including what causes them, how they impact the global climate, winds, and fun facts on this site.
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...
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.
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.
Other
Seafriends Marine Conservation and Education Centre: Oceanography: Waves
A very detailed article on the characteristics of waves and wave behavior. It discusses the influence waves have on the marine environment and the global climate, the physics of wave motion, the interactions between waves and wind, wave...
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.
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...
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: 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.
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.
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.
Institute of Global Environment and Society
Iges: Homepage
This site allows you to access a great deal of information about the link between ocean and climate. Latest El Nino/La Nina predictions and maps are one of many data sets featured.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Mit: Blossoms: Will an Ice Cube Melt Faster in Freshwater or Saltwater?
Engage students in the study of the ocean and saltwater with these activities. Students will see that saltwater has different physical properties than freshwater - mainly density. This lesson can serve as a springboard into other...
NOAA
Noaa: El Nino and La Nina
La Nina is characterized by unusually cold ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific, as compared to El Nino, which is characterized by unusually warm ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific. Find more general info, Forecasts,...