Lesson Plan
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research

Ucar: Climate Discovery Teacher's Guide: Investigating Climate Present

For Teachers 9th - 10th
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
Website
NASA

Nasa: El Nino

For Students 3rd - 5th
A concise explanation of El Nino. Discusses global wind patterns and ocean temperatures. Offers interactive weather-related learning activities.
Handout
Other

Seafriends Marine Conservation and Education Centre: Oceanography: Waves

For Students 9th - 10th
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...
eBook
Other

Earth Science: Earth's Surface and Heat [Pdf]

For Students 6th - 8th
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....
Website
Ducksters

Ducksters: Earth Science for Kids: Ocean Waves and Currents

For Students 1st - 9th
Kids learn about ocean waves and currents including what causes them, how they impact the global climate, winds, and fun facts on this site.
Handout
The History Cat

The History Cat: Geography Phenomenon: Hurricanes

For Students 4th - 8th
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.
Lesson Plan
Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Mit: Blossoms: Will an Ice Cube Melt Faster in Freshwater or Saltwater?

For Students 9th - 10th
Engage young scholars 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 instructional activity can serve as a...
Lesson Plan
Climate Literacy

Clean: What Happens to Ice in Water?

For Teachers 9th - 10th
Students investigate the properties of water in the ice and liquid phase as it relates to convection in the ocean and density driven circulation, and ultimately the climate.
Handout
Center for Educational Technologies

Nasa: Classroom of the Future: Spheres: Hydrosphere

For Students 9th - 10th
Use this site to learn about the millions and trillions of gallons of water that covers the earth, known as the hydrosphere.
Website
NOAA

Noaa: El Nino and La Nina

For Students 9th - 10th
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,...
Unit Plan
TeachEngineering

Teach Engineering: Engineering for the Earth

For Teachers 3rd - 5th
Young students are introduced to the complex systems of the Earth through numerous lessons on its natural resources, processes, weather, climate and landforms. Key earth science topics include rocks, soils and minerals, water and natural...
Activity
Science Education Resource Center at Carleton College

Serc: Lab 2: Earth's Frozen Oceans

For Teachers 9th - 10th
A lab experiment in a series of experiments that investigates climate and the cryosphere. In this particular lab, students explore how sea ice forms, how sea ice thickness changes over time, and how sea ice can affect ocean currents...
Website
National Weather Service

National Weather Service

For Students 9th - 10th
Official United States Weather Bureau source for weather maps and forecasts. Contains forecasts, maps, warnings, data, current conditions, and storm warnings.
Website
NOAA

Noaa: Pmel: El Nino Theme Page

For Students 3rd - 8th
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) sponsors this El Nino and La Nina resource site that features current and historic information about these weather systems with diagrams.
Online Course
Cosmo Learning

Cosmo Learning: Blue Planet: Introduction to Oceanography

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of video lectures from an introduction to oceanography course taught at the University of California, Los Angeles. The course gives a general introduction to the processes and history of Earth's global oceanic system in...
Graphic
Curated OER

Ocean

For Students Pre-K - 1st
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.
Article
NOAA

Noaa: Weather Systems and Patterns

For Students 9th - 10th
Imagine our weather if Earth were completely motionless, had a flat dry landscape and an un-tilted axis. This, of course, is not the case; if it were, the weather would be much different. The local weather that impacts our daily lives...
eBook
Libre Text

Libre Text: Ekman Spiral and Transports

For Students 9th - 10th
This article defines the basis of wind-driven circulation, including the Ekman spiral and transports.
Graphic
Curated OER

Coral Reef

For Students Pre-K - 1st
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.
Website
NOAA

Noaa: Pmel: Noaa: What Is La Nina?

For Students 9th - 10th
At this site from the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory, you can find out the characteristics of La Nina. You can find out about the lastest La Nina and the places it effected. Links are provided for additional information.
Activity
Other

Unep/siem D2 Weather

For Students 9th - 10th
This site offers information on the effects of weather on islands. There is some mention of sea breezes.
Website
Other

National Pollutant Inventory: Background Information

For Students 9th - 10th
This site focuses on water and air pollution in Australia, with a brief mention of sea breezes.
Graphic
Curated OER

Educational Technology Clearinghouse: Maps Etc: Europe (Physical), 1868

For Students 9th - 10th
A map from 1868 of Europe, showing the physical features, climate, and commercial resources of the region. Mountain chains are represented by lines of varying thickness, with the broader the line, the greater the elevation. The highest...