See how changes to the Atlantic Ocean circulation are being affected by an increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and causing harm to marine life.
Quick guide to navigating a Pathway
- Educators gather supplies for the Experiments and review the Explainer resources. If using the worksheets, they distribute the sheets to students.
- Students do the Experiments/Analyses and identify the connection arrows on the Framework.
- Students check out the the Explainer pages for the phenomena along the pathway.
- Educator sets up discussion or other processing activity.
Experimentation and Analysis
Get a feel for the physical, chemical or biological mechanism that is occurring at each connection arrow.
The activities listed below correspond to the connection arrows in the highlighted path. Each activity reveals the mechanism occurring between the cause and effect phenomena.
Make a copy of the pathway framework, and mark off the connection as you complete each activity.
Experiment: Observe the greenhouse effect in a jar
Create the greenhouse effect in jars using regular air and carbon dioxide.
Time: 50 minutes
Level: Beginner
Analysis: Investigate the impact of warmer air on the oceans
Find out how much warmer the oceans have gotten and how scientists are studying the phenomenon.
Time: 20 minutes
Analysis: Investigate the impact of warmer air on glaciers and ice sheets
Find out how much ice has melted and how scientists are studying the phenomenon.
Time: 20 minutes
Experiment: The impact of extra fresh water on the ocean
Use a carrot to investigate how the density of salt water changes as fresh water is added.
Time: 30 minutes
Level: Beginner
Experiment: Changes in water density due to temperature
Mix cool and warm water to see how temperature affects water density.
Time: 30 minutes
Level: Intermediate
Experiment: Changes in water density due to salinity
Compare the density of fresh water and saline water by combining them.
Time: 30 minutes
Level: Intermediate
Analysis: Explore how changes in ocean currents affect marine life
Learn how underwater ecosystems depend on ocean currents for nutrients, oxygen, and temperature.
Time: 20 minutes
Explainers
After the experiment or analysis, learn the science behind the environmental phenomena.
Each of the Explainer pages has several resources (videos, graphics, articles, interactive visualizations) designed to educate the public. Dive into one or more as needed to fill in your understanding. Groups can split the resources among them.