How Do Ocean Currents Work?
Videos
Grades6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12Earth and Space Sciences
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by TED-Ed
What it is
- This video describes the science of ocean currents using stop motion animation and compelling visuals.
- An assessment, discussion questions, and additional resources are provided for investigation and reflection on this topic.
Teaching tips
Positives
- While the topics covered in this video are fairly complex, the stop motion animation and other tools for reflection make it student-friendly and appropriate for many ages.
- The video clearly explains how rising temperatures due to climate change are impacting ocean currents.
Additional Prerequisites
- Students must create an account with an email address to answer the quiz questions.
- Students must be 13 years of age or older to create an account.
- Teachers can create an account to save student answers and embed lessons in Google Classroom.
- The video mentions a few key vocabulary words that students may need to review in advance, including the Coriolis effect, thermohaline circulation, and the global conveyor belt.
Differentiation
- This is a great resource to use as part of a science lesson about ocean currents and Earth's systems.
- Students can use the additional resources in the "Dig Deeper" tab to explore this topic further.
- Other resources similar to this topic include this video about ocean currents and climate change, this interactive map displaying ocean currents, and this video about ocean circulation patterns.
From the scientist review
This resource displays ocean interactions and processes. Students will gain deep insights into the differences between surface ocean current and deep ocean currents. The video provides valid explanations of the global conveyor belt, the Coriolis effect, global atmospheric circulation, and the impact on biodiversity and ocean ecosystems. This resource is recommended for teaching.
How we review resourcesReady to use it?
Hosted on ed.ted.com
Want this to fit your class?
Add your location for local examples, questions, and action ideas.
