Below, you will find standards-based lessons and learning tools relevant to the expedition and the exploration strategy of the Okeanos Explorer.
Grade Level: 5-6
Focus: Bathymetric mapping (Physical Science)
Students analyze and interpret data to explain how multibeam sonar is used to identify patterns of ocean floor structures; construct three-dimensional maps; and understand how multibeam sonar technology extends the measurement and exploration capacity of modern ocean exploration.
To support this lesson, please see the following introductory content:
Grade Level: 7-8
Focus: Multibeam sonar
Students explain how multibeam sonar uses the properties of sound waves in water for scientific research about topography of the ocean floor; and analyze and interpret multibeam sonar data using free iview4D software to identify patterns in the distribution of seafloor features that contribute to scientific research about large-scale interactions in Earth’s systems.
Grade Level: 9-12
Focus: Bathymetric mapping
Using EXCEL, students analyze and interpret data from the Okeanos Explorer to explain how multibeam sonar is used to identify patterns of ocean floor structures; and how multibeam sonar technology extends the measurement and exploration capacity of modern ocean exploration.
Grade Level: 5-12
Focus: Multibeam sonar data and exploration activities during the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Gulf of Mexico 2012 Expedition missions (Earth Science)
Students describe multibeam sonar, explain why the velocity of sound in water must be measured before maps can be created with the Okeanos Explorer’s multibeam sonar system, discuss the advantages of multibeam sonar bathymetry compared to two-dimensional topographic bathymetry, and interpret three-dimensional multibeam data of underwater features mapped by the Okeanos Explorer. This activity is followed up with Okeanos Explorer Multibeam Sonar Supplemental Datasheet #1 for Cruise 12.02 (pdf, 924 KB) in which students interpret three-dimensional multibeam data of underwater features mapped by the Okeanos Explorer during the Gulf of Mexico 2012 Expedition.
Grade Level: 6-8
Focus: Argo global temperature and salinity profiling floats
Students interpret temperature and salinity profiles and trajectory diagrams based on data from Argo profiling floats to explain how variations in temperature and salinity at various depths are related to patterns of oceanic circulation, and how these patterns are related to regional climates.
