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Interpreting Lake Erie Temperatures

Provided by: Michigan Sea Grant

Activity - Classroom

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Synopsis

Students interpret depth versus temperature graphs from buoy data in Lake Erie in order to complete a worksheet exploring the factors that affect stratification in the lake and then create their own graph.
Depending on how much time is spent on the extension, this activity can take 50-100 minutes.
A teacher answer key is included for the worksheet.

Subjects: Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics

Authors: Michigan Sea Grant, Center for Great Lakes Literacy

Region: Northern NY, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Northern Michigan, Mid Michigan, Southeast Michigan

Languages: English

Positives

Prerequisites

Students will need graph paper and rulers to draw their graphs.
For the extension, students will need access to computers with an internet connection.
Students may benefit from background information on why the temperatures in the lake are important, including why it is important for the water in the lake to mix or "turn over."

Differentiation & Implementation

The activity includes an extension in which students look at current data. To further develop this extension, students can make graphs of temperature over time to see how climate change is impacting the Great Lakes.
In a math class, this worksheet can be used to teach students how to interpret and make basic line graphs in the first coordinate.
This activity can also be used for high school ecology or environmental science classes when discussing aquatic ecosystems.
The first PDF about water temperature and depth is vocabulary dense and teachers can spend time going over this with the class.

Scientist Notes

Teaching Tips

Standards

Resource Type and Format

All resources can be used for your educational purposes with proper attribution to the content provider.