Experiment: Ocean Currents

You may have noticed that the sea, despite being a sunny and apparently calm day, is never still. There are many factors that create movement both on the surface and in depth. An experiment of about half an hour with water, ice and food coloring to begin to understand the behavior of marine currents, masses of water that move within the ocean, mixing it and shaping the coasts and ocean floors, transporting energy, heat and nutrients between one ocean basin and another.

Instructions for use:

Enjoy the document online or in paper format, as a recreational activity at home, or during a lesson at school.

Materials needed:

Cold water, boiling water, ice, red and blue food coloring, clear baking tray.6666

Procedure:

1. Fill the clear pan about a third full with cold water and add a few drops of blue food coloring. Don’t overdo it with the coloring, just a little goes a long way.
2. Add 1-2 cups of ice to the cold water and stir. Let it sit for a few minutes to melt some of the ice. The goal is to have very cold water.
3. While the ice is melting, boil about 4 cups of water. Add the red food coloring to the boiling water. You can add more food coloring here, so that the water becomes intensely colored.
4. Once both the water and food coloring are ready, gently pour some of the boiling water into one corner of the pan filled with cold water.
5. Observe and describe what happens both horizontally and vertically.

Cognitive learning objectives:

• The student understands the basic concepts of different densities of ocean water and the connection to ocean currents.
• The student understands the physical and chemical properties of ocean water.
• The student understands what thermohaline circulation is and how it works.

Social-emotional learning goals:

• The student is able to advocate for sustainable ocean management.
• The student is able to understand different perspectives on the impact of daily life on the ocean.
• The student is able to perceive the human connection between climate change, ocean health, and human health

Behavioral learning objectives:

• The student is able to express his/her personal relationship with the sea.
• The student is able to talk about the ocean and climate change with knowledge.
• The student is able to understand the importance of protecting the ocean.
• The student is able to make informed decisions regarding the ocean.
• The student is able to talk about the ocean correctly, in a coherent and informed way.
• The student is able to investigate the relationship of dependence of life on the sea.
• The student is able to understand the importance of protecting the ocean

UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development Approaches:

Geographical perspective, scientific perspective.

Connection between subjects:

Marine ecology, natural sciences, physics, chemistry, computer science, technology.

Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 14 “Life Below Water”
• SDG 4 “Quality Education”

Connection to Ocean Education Principles:

• Principle 1 “The Earth has a large ocean with many features”
• Principle 2 “The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the Earth”
• Principle 3 “The ocean has a major influence on climate and weather”
• Principle 4 “The ocean makes the Earth habitable”