Why Is Ocean Water Warming Faster in Some Places Than Others?

• This lesson is about the Gulf of Maine's rising sea surface temperature, the currents in this area and how they move, and Maine's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
• Students will use their critical thinking and problem solving skills to evaluate data and information to answer this question using scientific papers, reports, and interactive maps and graphs.
  

Positives

• This lesson plan has group activities to encourage collaboration and cooperation.
• This lesson plan includes a well-produced video from the National Science Teaching Association. 
  

Additional Prerequisites

• An advertisement might play before the YouTube video.
• For the "Scientific Assessment of Climate Change and Its Effects in Maine" document, items under the table of contents are clickable and can help you navigate the document.
  

Differentiation

• This lesson plan could enhance a classroom discussion on Maine's effectiveness at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
• This lesson plan could supplement a project where students compare the climate approaches of different states in the country.
• This lesson plan could augment a research activity about how rising ocean temperatures are dangerous for human populations.
• This lesson plan could support a brainstorming activity where students consider strategies for lessening their own carbon footprint.
• Science classes can use any of the materials to support lessons about heat transfer, ocean currents, local vs. global climate patterns, or the effects of topography on regional or local weather and climate.