The first graders at my school have been studying the oceans. As part of their curriculum they were to learn about the three ways ocean water moves; tides, waves and currents. To help students visualize how temperature creates ocean currents, they experimented by adding ice water colored blue and hot water colored red to room temperature water to see how they reacted. After students had a chance to interact with the materials and explore for themselves what happens, I set up a density current model using a small aquarium. The students were fascinated to see this demonstrated and were able to accurately explain that cold water is more dense and sinks deeper into the ocean while warmer water is less dense and rises closer to the surface.
You can find the Density Current Model at the following link:
http://www.mediafire.com/?28xy7fbhkp9ayy4I
Warning: View at your own risk. This was filmed by a first grader. You may experience motion sickness!
Hello Kelly,
ReplyDeleteYou have done such a wonderful job of sharing information. How would you relate the tides to the moon? Also, I tried to make a tsunami for my students and I was wondering how would your students make a tsunami using your wave device.
Thanks, Adam
Kelly:
ReplyDeleteWhat a great lesson! Building student knowledge about density is so important. This will help them when they learn about convection currents in the mantle.
Hello!
ReplyDeleteI think that this is such a wonderful activity for younger students, and it sounds like they understood the concept behind what was being presented. I did try to access the mediafire file, but it just took me to the mediafire home page. Amy :)
Kelly,
ReplyDeleteActually, when you remove the "I" off the end of the address, it takes you to the download page. Problem solved! Amy :)
Wow-- I like your model, so simple and to the point of such an important science concept--density. Sounds like you had students have an open inquiry with the blue ice cubes and red hot water. Great idea and I enjoyed the pictures.
ReplyDeleteIt is great that your students get to experience the importance of density at such an early age. Love, love the blue ice cubes and red hot water.
ReplyDelete