Conditions at Sea - Background (PDF)

Forecasting the conditions at sea is an important tool for sailors, fishers, maritime transportation, anyone on the water. In Conditions at Sea, a three-part series, students first learn about the concepts of wave formation and forecasting, conduct an in-class wave-making activity, and access near real-time and real-time data from ocean observing buoys to investigate the relationship between wind and wave height, and predict the actual conditions out at sea using the Beaufort scale.

Grade Level: 6-12

Conditions at Sea - Making Waves (PDF)

Forecasting the conditions at sea is an important tool for sailors, fishers, maritime transportation, anyone on the water. In Conditions at Sea, a three-part series, students first learn about the concepts of wave formation and forecasting, conduct an in-class wave-making activity, and access near real-time and real-time data from ocean observing buoys to investigate the relationship between wind and wave height, and predict the actual conditions out at sea using the Beaufort scale.

Grade Level: 6-12

Conditions at Sea - Data Activity (PDF)

Forecasting the conditions at sea is an important tool for sailors, fishers, maritime transportation, anyone on the water. In Conditions at Sea, a three-part series, students first learn about the concepts of wave formation and forecasting, conduct an in-class wave-making activity, and access near real-time and real-time data from ocean observing buoys to investigate the relationship between wind and wave height, and predict the actual conditions out at sea using the Beaufort scale.

Grade Level: 6-12

Ocean Observation (PDF)

This activity will help familiarize students with methods scientists use to study the coastal ocean in the Pacific Northwest, and will encourage them to pose and investigate their own questions about the ocean.

Grade Level: 6-12

Satellite Tracking (PDF)

Students use satellite tagging data to follow the movement of marine animals over time. Examining satellite maps of sea Surface Temperature (SST) and chlorophyll-a data combined with satellite tagging data, students answer questions related to open-ocean animals, their habitats and migratory behaviors.

Grade Level: 9-12

Water Column Profiles (PDF)

Students access and retrieve water column profile data from NANOOS and the WA Department of Ecology's Marine Water Monitoring database. Using this data, students construct water column profiles and provide plausible explanations for why the profile looks as it does.

Grade Level: 6-12

Well Well Well (PDF)

Students investigate the relationship between winds, surface currents, sea surface temperature and upwelling and downwelling off the coast of OR and WA. Students analyze data to make predictions on today's upwelling or downwelling conditions.

Grade Level: 6-12