The Ocean Currents
Lab
Shown here is a lab that I
use to help my students understand ocean
currents. To view a short video of this demonstration CLICK HERE.
 Context
1. The day before the lab I explain currents
and their causes.
2. On the day of the lab
I do the Salinity-Density Demo and then the students
do the ocean currents lab.
3. The day
after the lab we go over the follow-up
questions and then I use the
El Nino Demo to introduce them
to this phenomenon.
The Wind
Lab
Shown below is a
lab-activity that helps students understand
how winds develop. The lab is written in such
a way that they will learn about the relationship
between uneven heating, convection,
pressure differences, and
wind. To view a short video of this demonstration CLICK HERE. . . . . 
. . . .  Context
1. In the days before the lab I try to help my
students understand "atmospheric pressure".
Among other things, I have the students do a
can-crush activity and I show them the last
several minutes of the movie, "Total
Recall."
2. The students do the
lab which can be completed in one 50 minute
period. The follow-up questions may have to
be finished as homework.
3. In the days
following the lab, I teach the students about
the global pattern of winds as well as local
and regional winds.
Where to get these two
labs
The two labs along
with the materials and student handouts are
included in a kit available through any from
the WARDs
Natural Science Establishment (search: Exploring Convection). It is
called "Exploring Convection Currents.
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