In this Oceanic Circulation Activity, students will graph and analyze how temperature and salinity differences affect water density, causing water to rise, sink, and move throughout Earth’s oceans.
Students practice SCIENCE GRAPHING SKILLS and answer questions as they extend their learning about what causes ocean currents and oceanic circulation.
There are TWO graphing worksheets included. They can be used together or completely independently of each other. The format of each activity is the same:
- Students read a brief background information passage.
- Students make a graph from the provided data.
- Students answer questions from the information in the background info section.
- Students complete a brief CER question based on the data they’ve graphed.
The two graphing topics included are:
- Ocean Depth vs. Temperature (one line graph)
- Ocean Salinity and Density (two bar graphs)
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Teacher Notes:
- Please note that this oceanic circulation activity is not editable.
- Answer keys are always included.
- NGSS MS-ESS2-6: Develop and use a model to describe how unequal heating and rotation of the Earth cause patterns of atmospheric and oceanic circulation that determine regional climates.
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