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Provided by: Michigan Sea Grant |Published on: November 14, 2024
Activity - Classroom
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Synopsis
Students interpret depth versus temperature graphs from buoy data in Lake Erie in order to complete a worksheet exploring the factors that affect stratification in the lake and then create their own graph.
Depending on how much time is spent on the extension, this activity can take 50-100 minutes.
A teacher answer key is included for the worksheet.
Students learn about the complexity of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
Prerequisites
Students will need graph paper and rulers to draw their graphs.
For the extension, students will need access to computers with an internet connection.
Students may benefit from background information on why the temperatures in the lake are important, including why it is important for the water in the lake to mix or "turn over."
Differentiation & Implementation
The activity includes an extension in which students look at current data. To further develop this extension, students can make graphs of temperature over time to see how climate change is impacting the Great Lakes.
In a math class, this worksheet can be used to teach students how to interpret and make basic line graphs in the first coordinate.
This activity can also be used for high school ecology or environmental science classes when discussing aquatic ecosystems.
The first PDF about water temperature and depth is vocabulary dense and teachers can spend time going over this with the class.
Scientist Notes
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Related Teaching Resources
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