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Too Hot? Gotta Vent!
Dory Marcus |
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7-8 |
6 forty-five minute class periods |
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The deep ocean: few have seen its mysteries.
But thanks to modern technology, scientists can
now explore the depths of the sea, diving
straight down into canyons that rival those on
land. The ocean continues to be one of science's
great frontiers, providing new discoveries about
the geological history and evolution of our
world, as well as the origins of life on this,
and potentially other, planets. This lesson will
provide students with the opportunity to learn
about deep sea hydrothermal vents called "black
smokers." The discovery of black smokers in the
1970s has expanded our knowledge about the
earth's crust and challenged our conceptions of
the basis of life.
Using video and Internet resources students will
learn about deep sea exploration and underwater
geology, specifically hydrothermal sea vents. In
addition students will create digital video
projects of their own to demonstrate their
knowledge, illustrating the discoveries of the
explorers of the ocean's abyss.
Major corporate support is provided by Canon U.S.A., Inc. and Ford.
Students will be able to:
- Identify the geological and chemical
forces that cause the creation of deep sea
vents;
- Identify advances in technology and
scientific research that support deep ocean
research;
- Utilize video, Internet and print
resources to research information;
- Work collaboratively to produce a
presentation, video or other product.
From the National Science Education
Standards for Grades 5-8, available online at
http://books.nap.edu/html/nses/html/:
Science as Inquiry, CONTENT STANDARD
A: As a result of activities in grades 5
- 8 students should be able to develop the
abilities necessary to do scientific inquiry and
cultivate an understanding about scientific
inquiry.
Earth and Space Science, CONTENT STANDARD
D: As a result of activities in grades 5 - 8
students should be able to develop an
understanding of the structure of the earth
system and patterns of geological
activity.
History and Nature of Science, CONTENT
STANDARD G: As a result of activities in
grades 5-8, all students should develop
understanding of science as a human endeavor, the
nature of science, and the history of
science.
From the National Technology Education Standards
for Students for Grades 6-8, available online at
http://cnets.iste.org/currstands/cstands-netss.html:
Standard # 4: Technology as a Communications
Tool: Students use telecommunications to
collaborate, publish, and interact with peers,
experts, and other audiences. Students use a
variety of media and formats to communicate
information and ideas effectively to multiple
audiences.
Standard # 5: Technology as a Research
Tool: Students use technology to locate,
evaluate, and collect information from a variety
of sources. Students use technology tools to
process data and report results. Students
evaluate and select new information resources and
technological innovations based on the
appropriateness for specific tasks.
Video:
NATURE: episode #2003: "Dive to the Abyss"
Web sites:
Black Smoker Animation
http://www.amnh.org/nationalcenter/expeditions/blacksmokers/animation.html
The American Museum of Natural History
Expeditions site provides a Flash animation
provides a dynamic illustration of how black
smokers are formed. Navigate by clicking on the
green arrows and rolling the mouse over yellow
words to see highlighted illustrations of those
features. Requires the Flash Player Browser
Plug-in, available online at www.flash.com.
Dive and Discover: Expeditions to
the Sea Floor InfoMods
http://www.divediscover.whoi.edu/cruise7/gallery/index.html
Check out "The Discovery of Hydrothermal Vents"
and "Hydrothermal Vents" for more information.
Habitats: Hydrothermal Vents -
Characteristics
http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/ocean/habitats/vents1.htm
A concise summary of hydrothermal vents, written
at an appropriate level for middle school
students. Take the quiz to test your
understanding.
Abyss Live
http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/programmes/tv/abysslive/divediaries/9north3.shtml
Dive diaries from the Dive to the Abyss
expeditions including Alastair Fothergill's
exploration of 9° North, 500 miles off Mexico's
Pacific coast. Includes Infobursts with quick
facts and other information.
For the class:
- Digital Video camera, at least one
per class or more per cooperative groups of
students (4-5 students/ group)
- Video editing software,
- iMovie, Apple (Mac)
- MovieMaker, Microsoft (PC)
- Optional: tripod, wireless microphone(s)
For each video production team (4-5 students):
For each student:
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