To Boldly Go...

Notes from our reviewers

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• Teaching Tips
  If you want to teach this activity at the high school level, replace the Ocean Exploration Game with a group oral presentation or individual research project. Teachers could create a student activity sheet with the learning objectives and URLs for the research topics.
• About the Science
  While researching the reasons for undertaking ocean exploration, students learn about ocean research technology, such as underwater robots and mapping tools. In addition, students learn about the technological capabilities aboard the NOAA Oceans Explorer that allow oceanographers to explore the open ocean and gather important data. Comments from expert scientist: Great use of current cruises and findings. Applications for students are very hands on which I think is great because it involves them more and requires them to actually think about what they are learning instead of regurgitating information without application. This material does a great job listing and citing the differences between the many forms of deep sea exploration.
• About the Pedagogy
  As students explore the answer to their group research question, they are introduced to a variety of engaging resources that are visual and/or auditory such as slide shows and podcasts. The activity is middle school level but much of the content is higher level, assuming a good bit of prior knowledge.
• Technical Details/Ease of Use
  There are multiple web links provided for students to use in gathering the information that they need. There is a video that the teacher uses to start the lesson that is 35 minutes long. It is recommended that teacher download, review, and possibly prepare a shorter segment in advance.