Education: Activities & Documents

Ocean Currents and Sea Surface Temperature
The purpose of this activity is to discover the link between ocean temperatures and currents as related to our concern for current climate change.

After completing this activity, students will:
  • Know how differential heating of Earth results in circulation patterns in the atmosphere and oceans that globally distribute the heat
  • Know the relationship between the rotation of Earth and the circular motions of ocean currents and air in pressure centers.
  • Make predictions by linking current scientific satellite data to concerns about global climate change.
Grade level: 8-12 or higher. Credit: Joan Carter, San Jose, CA.