Time Frame
1 class periods of 60 minutes each
Summary
Students will build models to demonstrate the effects of changing sea level on Earth's surface area. They will graph their results.
Materials
- transparent plastic box (shoe box size)
- rock large enough to take up about a third of the box
- 250 mL beaker
- water
- marker
- ruler
- bucket, tray or sink to add or subtract water into
- grid for transparency (attached)
- student sheet (attached)
Instructional Procedures
- Each group of 4 students should have a set of materials.
- Read introduction and instructions on student sheet.
- Brainstorm list of reasons with class that oceans might rise or fall. It should include:
- Melting glacial ice due to warmer temperature.
- Periods of extreme cold adding glacial ice to the land.
- Warm periods causing evaporation, rain, allowing for additional plant growth
- Moving land masses that create or destroy ocean coastlines and depths
- Allow students time to work and prepare their graphs.
Extensions
Have students place a biodegradeable packing peanut or sugar cube on the shoreline to model a man-made structure. Have them note the affect of rising and falling oceans on the structure.
Bibliography
Lesson Design by Jordan School District Teachers and Staff.
Created: 11/06/2014
Updated: 02/05/2018
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