Description:
Ocean currents play an important role in maintaining Earth's temperature by moving a tremendous mass of warm water from the tropics to the northern Atlantic. Transfer of heat by the Gulf Stream is one means by which the Earth system balances out temperature differences between Earth's coldest and warmest regions. Students investigate the Gulf Stream's warming properties and its effects. They use a data visualizer to make three graphs for specified locations, and compare temperatures at those locations over a two year period. They also analyze seasonal temperature variations and their effects on phytoplankton.

This investigation is under development. To participate in pilot testing, go to the website for NASA Goddard Earth and Space Science Education Project (GESSEP): http://edmall.gsfc.nasa.gov/ and click on "To Pilot Investigations."

Organization:
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (GSFC)

URL:
http://edmall.gsfc.nasa.gov/inv99Project.Site/Pages/trl/inv4-0.html

Contact:
Activity Principal Investigator: Robert S. Swanson

GESSEP Program Principal Investigator: Steve Gilligan
Email: charles1@mail.ameritel.net

GESSEP Program Co-Investigator: Vern Smith
Email: vern@aesp.nasa.okstate.edu

Cost:
Free over the Internet

Education Level:
Grades 9-12

Subject:
Atmosphere
Biology
Carbon Cycle
Earth System Science
Energy
Geography
Global Warming
Greenhouse Effect
Gulf Stream
Oceanography - Biological
Oceanography - Physical

Resource Type:
Internet Site
Curriculum/Instructional Materials
 
 

Date Added to teachearth.com:
5/1/00