Oceanography

1
Oceanography

• B and C Divisions

2
Russ Crittenden

• I teach at Thomas MS in Arlington Heights
• I am the State Event Coordinator for C Division
• Email me at crittenden_at_ahsd25.k12.il.us

3
How to approach this event

• Process Skills
• Process Skills!
• Process Skills!!

De-emphasize memorization of facts and vocabulary
-- emphasize gathering, interpretation and
application of data to new problems. All but
basic facts should be provided at the station.
4
Important changes this year

• Materials
• One single sheet of paper containing handwritten
  or typed information may be brought in to the
  testing room. This is a moderate reduction from
  last years 3-inch binder.
• Any calculator allowed (but dont program in
  additional reference material).
• I will allow writing instruments, although they
  are not listed. Ill provide them too.

5
Important changes this year

• Topics
• Physical and Geological Oceanography
• B and C topics are now the same
• Oceanography tools are out
• Sources of salt, measuring properties, and
  oceanic sediments are new
• Old C division topics now at B level too

Effect of climate change on ocean levels and
currents?
6
What are process skills?

• Observe
• Classify
• Measure
• Infer
• Predict
• Graph
• Interpret

• Use number relationships
• Problem solve
• Form and evaluate hypotheses
• Communicate
• Others

7
Format

• MAY be timed stations at least for some of the
  50-minute period.
• To access higher-level thinking, fewer and longer
  stations are best.
• C Division may incorporate use of probeware.

8
Tools to be familiar with

• Ruler
• Protractor
• Thermometer (std or digital)
• pH strips and/or meters
• Hydrometer
• Probeware light meter or salinity meter (C)

9
Essential skills.

• Accurate measurement in appropriate units
• Map reading, including contour/bathymetric maps,
  and finding latitude and longitude
• Interpretation of diagrams
• Calculations (rates, ratios, and unit
  conversions)
• Graphing and interpreting graphs
• Ability to correlate between data types to infer
  relationships

10
Critical knowledge

• Seawater characteristics
• Theory and formulas for wave motion
• Plate tectonics and sea floor spreading
• Density and bouyancy
• Basics of climate, wind, and currents
• Basic causes of tides
• Sediment transport and deposition

11
Dont Panic

• Emphasize the ability to take unfamiliar
  information and make meaning out of it
• As I tell my kids, the door may be locked, but
  theres probably a key under the mat.

12
Resources

• http//www.marine-ed.org/bridge
• http//sealevel.jpl.nasa.gov/education/activities.
  html
• http//hurri.kean.edu/manfrino/
• http//www.ngdc.noaa.gov/mgg/image/crustageposter.
  jpg
• http//pubs.usgs.gov/imap/2800/

13

• The long term value of this event is NOT the
  facts about pyncnoclines and spreading centers..

its the practice the students will get dealing
with scientific information and sifting it for
meaning.