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Investigation

Coastal Winds

In these Investigations, students explore how differential heating in a fluid causes density changes and the formation of convection currents. Students will collect data on temperature and wind speed, compare values over the land and over the ocean, and explain the origin of land and sea breezes based on temperature and density changes.

Lesson Options

Designed for Middle School Students

Series

Coastal Winds: Kite Party

Sam is planning a kite flying party on Miami Beach, and she wants to know the best time of day to hold the party. To help Sam, students collect weather data for a day, explore how temperature changes are related to the formation of land and sea breezes, and explain how temperature and density cause convection currents to form.

Standalone

Coastal Winds: Sailing Away

One summer, Michael goes to stay with his uncle, a fisherman who works from a sailboat. Every morning, the wind blows the boat out to sea, and every afternoon the wind blows the sailboat back to shore. What is causing this pattern of winds?

Coastal Winds: Balloon Festival

At a hot air balloon festival, Jasmine is wondering why the balloons rise up in the air. To investigate, she experiments by heating water in a beaker, observing how the water moves, and measuring the temperature and density in different parts of the beaker. By applying the principles of convection to the situation, Jasmine determines why hot air balloons rise.

Lesson Materials

Coastal Winds: Kite Party

Key Vocabulary Key Vocabulary Scientific Background Scientific Background Teacher Guide Teacher Guide Usage Guide Usage Guide

Coastal Winds: Sailing Away

Key Vocabulary Key Vocabulary Scientific Background Scientific Background Teacher Guide Teacher Guide Usage Guide Usage Guide

Coastal Winds: Balloon Festival

Key Vocabulary Key Vocabulary Scientific Background Scientific Background Teacher Guide Usage Guide Usage Guide Teacher Guide

Cell Energy Cycle

Explore the processes of photosynthesis and respiration that occur within plant and animal cells. The cyclical nature of the two processes can be constructed visually, and the simplified photosynthesis and respiration formulae can be balanced.

Flower Pollination

Observe the steps of pollination and fertilization in flowering plants. Help with many parts of the process by dragging pollen grains to the stigma, dragging sperm to the ovules, and removing petals as the fruit begins to grow. Quiz yourself when you are done by dragging vocabulary words to the correct plant structure.

Growing Plants

Investigate the growth of three common garden plants: tomatoes, beans, and turnips. You can change the amount of light each plant gets, the amount of water added each day, and the type of soil the seed is planted in. Observe the effect of each variable on plant height, plant mass, leaf color and leaf size. Determine what conditions produce the tallest and healthiest plants. Height and mass data are displayed on tables and graphs.

Plants and Snails

Study the production and use of gases by plants and animals. Measure the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in a test tube containing snails and elodea (a type of plant) in both light and dark conditions. Learn about the interdependence of plants and animals.