Seafloor Mapping

Wet Maps

Grade Level:

6th-8th grade (Earth Science/Technology)

Lesson Description:

High resolution bathymetric maps are essential for finding and exploring geological, archaeological,and biological features in the ocean. In this lesson, students develop and use models to explore seafloor features; analyze and interpret data to explain how multibeam sonar is used to identify patterns of ocean floor structures; construct three-dimensional maps; and learn how multibeam sonar technology extends the measurement and exploration capacity of modern ocean exploration.

Lesson Components:

Educator Guide: Wet Maps (pdf, 1.23 MB)
Student Worksheet: Wet Maps (pdf, 107 KB)
Wet Maps Slides (pdf, 2.17 MB)
Wet Maps Slides (ppt, 10.7 MB)

Standards:

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS):

Performance Expectation: MS-ETS1-3
Disciplinary Core Ideas: ETS1.B: Developing Possible Solutions

Ocean Literacy Essential Principles:

Principle 7: FCs d, e

Supplemental Materials:

Fact Sheets

Bathymetric Maps (pdf, 1.54 MB)
Sonar: Seeing with Sound (pdf, 577 KB)
Multibeam Sonar (pdf, 1.01 MB)

Exploration Notes - stories from the field

Mapping and Diving Go Together Like Peanut Butter and Jelly (pdf, 1.07 MB)