Lights, Shoals & Soundings

Create a nautical chart after learning how the captain of a boat must prepare to keep his or her passengers and cargo safe while navigating in coastal waters of various depths.

Students study the use of a nautical chart and how to obtain information from it. They describe and differentiate the basic topographic characteristics of a chart and demonstrate the use of nautical tools used to plot fixed points on a...

Learners draw contour lines based on NOAA soundings on a nautical chart. They color the contours and glue label tags for topographic features. They determine that the floor of the ocean is composed of hills, plains, ridges, trenches,...

Young scholars explore and analyze the bottom structure of underwater habitats. They describe and explain what can't see through the collection and correlation of accurate data. Learners assess that technology is utilized as a tool for...

Students discuss the importance and function of nautical maps for sailors. They, in groups, take soundings of a simulated bay in a shoebox and develop a nautical chart that enable them to navigate the shoebox safely.

In this activity, students explore the importance of charts to navigation on bodies of water. Using one worksheet, students learn to read the major map features found on a real nautical chart. Using another worksheet, students draw their...

Students work together to discover the importance of charts while navigating. They complete a worksheet and practice reading maps. They create their own nautical chart to complete the activity.

High schoolers explain how early maps of the ocean bottom were made. They describe and execute a method for producing a low-resolution map of a surface that cannot be seen or touched. Students analyze the data from a mapping activity and...

In this space science instructional activity, students collect data that includes information in a chart or graph to display in a group. They identify and describe various planet features of a specific planet of choice. Students write...

Students examine the role of water in ceremonies around the world. In this world history instructional activity, students explore how other cultures celebrate water. They create a Water Day for younger students to participate in.