Summer

Never Cry Wolf
What does it mean to observe?

read Never Cry Wolf and complete study questions (we will discuss these the first week of class)

Atmosphere and Ocean Interactions
What are hurricanes and what do they do?

Discuss textbook ocean
Cyclone Cycles GIS activity- what are the causes and impacts of hurricanes?
hurricane Links

Lab:Convection and Density
global warming links

Introduction to the Channel Islands and Kelp Forests
Where are we going and why?

read Jason - Story # 1 and #4 (handouts)
Look at maps in Jason Atlas.
Global Kelp Forest GIS activity

The Kelp Forest Ecosystem
What will we see in the kelp forest?

Fish Identification and background research.

Research in books and on the web to find a topic of interest
kelp forest links
Review Catalina Field project from earlier years. Sample 8th grade student reports that utilize GIS. 2005 projects, 2006 projects, 2007 projects

Land Sea Connections

How does the land effect the ocean?
"Turbidity" lab.

Methods of detection - from high to low tech.
What creates the Plumes and Blooms?

Practice techniques to be used in the field. Water quality probes and digital cameras.

Read "clear water; healthy water" (handout)

"Plumes and Blooms" homework (handout)

NASA Neo SST and chlorophyll connection
Channel Islands example

Atmosphere and Ocean Interactions (continued)

El Niño's effects on the Ocean
How are Ocean currents related to weather and the kelp forest ecosystem?

Discuss El Niño readings on the web,

El Niño GIS activities El Nino links

"Diving for data" activity (handout)
Practice techniques to be used in the field. GPS, Quadrat squares, transects Monitoring techniques from CFP logbook

6

September 29

Methods of detection - from high to low tech.
What creates the Plumes and Blooms?

Library research completed by end of week.

Continue background research
kelp forest links

Preparing for field research project. Background preparation and packing

How is science done?

Practice techniques to be used in the field.GPS, water quality probes. Introduction to Snorkeling

Solidify research objectives. Submit proposal Prepare GIS basemaps of Catalina for projects

Catalina Environmental Leadership Program trip
How is science done?

Complete Catalina Logbook and data collection for project while on trip.
Be sure to bring colored pencils and other essentials

The Research Process - data processing

What else do we need to know?
How do we use maps to communicate?

Download data, prepare photographs and begin to write final reports. Complete additional research as needed. kelp forest links

The Research Process -
Writing up the report and preparing for presentations.

What have we learned?
How do we tell the story?

Work on Catalina field research projects in class - Use GIS to prepare maps for projects, use Dreamweaver to create reports.
sample reports from 2005

Presentations of Catalina Kelp Forest Project to peers.

Finish maps and web pages.

12

November 10

Ocean Stewardship
Why should we care?

Read "The Ocean a Global View", complete, oily spills lab, and wrap up oceanography unit - before moving on to Chemistry.

Oceanography Project Description

 Unit Goals

Course Description