Ocean Circulation

Lesson Plan

Websites and Articles

Ocean Circulation in the North Atlantic | Interactive Lesson | PBS LearningMediaStudents explore the ocean’s role in redistributing the Sun’s energy on Earth in this interactive lesson from WGBH. Students are introduced to factors influencing global ocean circulation, with a focus on the significant North Atlantic region. Through data visualizations from NASA, students investigate how factors such as sea surface temperature, density, winds, and various types of ocean flows interact in the transport of heat from equatorial regions northwards in the North Atlantic. The associated lesson plan The Ocean and Climate: Heat Redistribution includes more supports for teachers and students, including handouts and materials for diverse learners.

thermohaline circulation Thermohaline circulation transports and mixes the water of the oceans. In the process it transports heat, which influences regional climate patterns. The density of seawater is determined by the temperature and salinity of a volume of seawater at a particular location. The difference in density between one location and another drives the thermohaline circulation.

Ocean currentsOcean water is on the move, affecting your climate, your local ecosystem, and the seafood that you eat. Ocean currents, abiotic features of the environment, are continuous and directed movements of ocean water. These currents are on the ocean’s surface and in its depths, flowing both locally and globally.

Sinking Water: A Connection With Glaciers, Ocean Currents and Weather PatternsThis lesson has activities where students will learn about buoyancy and explore how hot water rises and cold water sinks. As an extension and real-life application, students will see that glacial run-off is occurring at a rapid pace and the cold glacial water could potentially change ocean currents thus influencing global climates.

Videos

Activities and Worksheets

Thermohaline Circulation Mini-Lab

Ocean Currents Activity/Hands on Learning Lab

Ocean Currents Map Activity

Books

Ocean Circulation and Climate (Use as a reference when teaching)

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