Below, you will find standards-based lessons and learning tools relevant to the expedition and the exploration strategy of the Okeanos Explorer.
Grade Level: 5-6
Focus: Bathymetric mapping (Physical Science)
From the Okeanos Explorer Education Materials Collection, V2: How Do We Explore?
Students analyze and interpret data to explain how multibeam sonar is used to identify patterns of ocean floor structures; construct three-dimensional maps; and understand how multibeam sonar technology extends the measurement and exploration capacity of modern ocean exploration.
Addendum: Blank Wet Maps Graph
To support this lesson, please see the following introductory content:
Grade Level: 7-8
Focus: Ocean chemistry and hydrothermal vents (Physical Science)
Students analyze and interpret data from the Okeanos Explorer to make inferences about the possible presence of hydrothermal vents; and explain how interaction with hydrothermal vents affects chemical and physical properties of seawater.
To support this lesson, please see the following introductory content:
Grade Level: 7-8
Focus: Biological organisms in cold seep communities (Life Science/Physical Science)
Students will obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about flows and cycles of energy in cold-seep ecosystems; develop a model that describes some of the interdependent relationships in cold-seep ecosystems; and develop and use a model to explain states and changes between states of methane hydrates.
Grade Level: 9-12
Focus: Marine protected areas (Life Science)
From The Coral Ecosystem Connectivity 2013: From Pulley Ridge to the Florida Keys Expedition
Students analyze threats to coral ecosystems, and specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for marine protected areas that account for perceived tradeoffs between conservation and fishery goals. Students discuss evidence that demonstrates how marine protected areas can enhance use as well as protection of marine resources.
Grade Level: 5-12
Focus: Multibeam sonar data and exploration activities during the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Gulf of Mexico 2012 Expedition missions (Earth Science)
Students describe multibeam sonar, explain why the velocity of sound in water must be measured before maps can be created with the Okeanos Explorer’s multibeam sonar system, discuss the advantages of multibeam sonar bathymetry compared to two-dimensional topographic bathymetry, and interpret three-dimensional multibeam data of underwater features mapped by the Okeanos Explorer. This activity is followed up with Okeanos Explorer Multibeam Sonar Supplemental Datasheet #1 for Cruise 12.02 (pdf, 924 KB) in which students interpret three-dimensional multibeam data of underwater features mapped by the Okeanos Explorer during the Gulf of Mexico 2012 Expedition.
Grade Level: 5-12
Focus: CTD data and exploration activities during the NOAA Ship Okeanos Explorer Gulf of Mexico 2012 Expedition (Physical Science/Earth Science)
Students define "CTD" and explain how this instrument is used aboard the Okeanos Explorer; explain how relationships between temperature, salinity, pressure, and density in seawater are useful to ocean explorers; and use data from the Okeanos Explorer to create and interpret graphs of temperature, salinity, and depth. This activity is followed up with Okeanos Explorer CTD Supplemental Datasheet #1 for Cruise 12.02 (pdf, 956 kb) in which students interpret CTD data collected by the Okeanos Explorer during the Gulf of Mexico 2012 Expedition.
