Explore the Deep Oceans

Take a day, a week, or a whole month to investigate the conditions of the deep sea and the technologies that permit scientists to explore this remote region.

• If you want teacher strategies, assessment, and a schedule for the unit, start with Curriculum Materials. Then download all the activities (with handouts) and readings.
• If you want stand-alone, hands-on or research on the Web activities and don't need teacher strategies to go with them, go directly to Activities.
• If you want accessible content readings that will help your students connect to the science of deep sea exploration, go straight to Articles. You'll find interviews with real scientists as well as content readings written by or about deep sea researchers.

		Explore the Deep Oceans Curriculum Materials for grades 6 through 8 Pressures high enough to squeeze the air out of a paper cup and water just above freezing—welcome to life on the ocean floor. Visit the deep sea vents of the Juan de Fuca Ridge with your students.
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		Research on the Web: Going Deep Under the Sea Activity for grades 6 through 12 Travel from the ocean's surface to its deepest regions—all without going anywhere near the water. You'll discover just how dynamic the world's oceans are.
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		How Deep Is Deep? Evidence and Analysis for grades 6 through 12 Dive down, down, and down a whole lot more—until you've traveled 2,400 meters to the sea floor. Can you picture how deep that really is? Compare it with the height of famous landmarks, and you will.
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		Under Pressure Activity for grades 6 through 12 Why does pressure increase the deeper you go in the ocean? And does this building pressure change the way water flows? Fill a soda bottle with plain water, and find out.
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		Sinking Water Activity for grades 6 through 12 If you've spent even a few hours in a pool, you know that the deep end is colder than the shallow. But do you know why? Experiment with colored ice cubes for insight into water density.
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		Simple Submarine Activity for grades 6 through 12 Plop, plop. Fizz, fizz. Dive, dive. Build your own mini submarines for a deeper look at how they work. No expensive supplies required—just Alka Seltser tablets and household objects.
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		Let's Talk with Veronique Robigou about Exploring Deep Sea Vents Article for grades 6 through 12 You don't need to leave Earth to find life forms that can exist in the harshest of environments. This marine geologist discusses the exciting research being done at the bottom of the ocean.
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		Dispatch from the Deep: First Day at Sea and Exploration Vessels Article for grades 6 through 12 Set sail with a team of teachers and scientists studying deep sea vents off the coast of Washington State. Experience the first day of the exciting trip—the sights, sounds, and seasickness.
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		Dispatch from the Deep: Weather Conditions Over the Deep Seas Article for grades 6 through 12 What does it take to send a crew to the bottom of the ocean? A sub with 14-inch-thick walls made of a titanium-steel alloy—and a day of calm seas to ensure smooth diving.
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		Dispatch from the Deep: Pressure in the Deep Seas Article for grades 6 through 12 How pressurized is the ocean floor? Imagine an elephant standing on your big toe—then apply that pressure to your whole body. But thanks to ALVIN, scientists can make the dive comfortably.
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		Dispatch from the Deep: Global Ocean Circulation and Deep Sea Temperatures Article for grades 6 through 12 At the ocean's surface, winds create waves and currents. So why, then, are there currents moving all the way down at the deepest depths? Find out what's behind all this deep sea churning.
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		Dispatch from the Deep: Light and Dark in the Sea Article for grades 6 through 12 Only the top 200 meters (656 feet) of the ocean get enough light to support plants. Below 1,000 meters (3,281 feet), there's complete darkness. So how do organisms on the sea floor find food?
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