Vocabulary for Describing Oceanography and Marine Science

Objectives
• At the end of the lesson, students should be able to explain, recognize, and use terminology related to oceanography and marine science.

Anticipatory Set
• Ask students to brainstorm a few terms related to oceanography and marine science.

Vocabulary
• Abyssal plain: an extensive flat or gently sloping region of the seafloor at depths generally greater than 4,000 meters
• Upwelling: the process of bringing cold, nutrient-rich water from the deep ocean to the surface
• Coriolis effect: the apparent deflection of moving objects from their initial path due to the earth’s rotation
• Hydrothermal vent: a fissure in the seafloor from which geothermally heated water emerges
• Marine biology: the study of organisms that live in ocean environments
• Marine ecology: the study of interactions between living organisms and the environment in an ocean
• Marine geology: the study of the origin, evolution, and structure of the ocean basins
• Marine physics: the study of the physical properties of the ocean and how it interacts with the atmosphere

Instructional Activities
• Provide a brief overview of the field of oceanography and marine science.
• Explain the definition of each term and provide examples.
• Ask students to use each term in a sentence to demonstrate their understanding.
• Lead a discussion or activity to practice using the terms.

Closure
• Ask students to explain the definitions of the provided terms in their own words.

Assessment
• Ask students to write a short essay discussing how the terms are used in oceanography and marine science.

Summary
• Brainstorm related terms
• Introduce and explain terms
• Practice using terms
• Discuss and clarify terms
• Assess understanding of terms