"Collaborative Research: Gas Blowout" Curriculum Units

MORE COMING VERY SOON

"MaPPing the Unseen Floors"
     Created by Jeffrey Leben, Kevin Drantch, Jeffrey Williams, and Michael J. Passow.

    The lesson plan proposed offers cross-curricular learning opportunities in Technology and Literacy.  It will introduce students to the various forms of SONAR and their proper usage.  Students will, by means of a WebQuest, be provided the opportunity to understand better the use of different forms of SONAR utilized in a scientific expedition.  Students will, as a concluding activity, compose a letter to the expedition scientists making their own recommendations for future expeditions.

"Problem-Solving Science – Using a Real-Life Problem to Learn Scientific Principles"

     Created by Larry Hoard and Barbara Robertson.

     Huge amounts of methane hydrates exist in seafloor sediments. These may provide a valuable energy resource in the future. Or the uncontrolled release of methane into the atmosphere may significantly affect global climate. Through a series of activities, students can learn more about what the problem is; how it can be studied within the context of such basic scientific principles as the “gas laws” and changes of phase; and why worldwide climate conditions may be affected. This could be included within an Earth Science or Physics unit about alternative energy resources, or the enhance appropriate sections of a Chemistry course.

"LANDSLIDE OR NOT?"
      Created by Cheryl Dodes, Susan Kelly, and Virginia Seberg

   Students will use stratigraphic principles learned in Earth Science to examine information about the large submarine landslide off of the coasts of Virginia and North Carolina. This slide, called the Albemarle-Currituck Slide, occurred approximately 18,000 years ago. More than 33 cubic miles of material slid seaward from the edge of the continental shelf, most likely causing a tsunami. Students will use information and data to infer whether observed “cracks” in the continental shelf off the coast of the eastern United States point to a future undersea landslide. 

GAS BLOWOUT  "CAN YOUR RESEARCH WIN THE (NOBEL) PRIZE?" BOARD GAME

    Created by Ellen Plock, Jennifer Partyka, and Scott Ryan

     Ever wonder what scientists actually do in order to expand our knowledge of how the world works?  In this board game, you are the scientist. 

     Your job: To investigate a real-world problem using available funds, personnel, equipment and time to support your hypothesis.

     Your problem: Large crater-like depressions have been discovered at the continental shelf break off the coast of Virginia and North Carolina.  How did these features form, and what long and short term affects might they have on human and non-human populations in the area? What if any might be the global affects associated with these features?

     Your reward if you win: "The Nobel Prize"!

     Information and materials         

     Student Worksheet         

     Game Board         

     Applicable Science Education Standards