Secondary Module 8: Seabreeze and Ocean Currents

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Learning Objectives

Explain key weather and ocean processes (diffusion, convection currents, seabreezes, landbreezes, and thermohaline circulation) and relate them to sailing performance and strategy.
Use digital tools and online forecasting websites to interpret synoptic charts and predict suitable sailing conditions.
Collect, record, and analyse weather data through guided activities or STEM Challenges, and apply results to make predictions.
Evaluate and communicate how meteorological science supports sailing, and connect learning to real-world careers such as America’s Cup meteorologists.

Lesson Description

This module is broken into four lessons :

Lesson 1 - Intro to weather and ocean currents:
Students will explore how forecasting the weather is used in sailing (including the America’s Cup). Concepts such diffusion, convection currents, concentration gradients, seabreezes, landbreezes and ocean currents will be explored. Students will learn about meteorologist, Jessica Sweeney’s careers as an America’s Cup Team meteorologist in the ‘STEM in Focus’ section.

Lesson 2 - Weather tools & synoptic charts:
Students will follow the guided section on how to use online weather forecasting websites to determine best days and times to sail or race. This may require research and group work.

Optional: Classes may complete the STEM Challenge where the students will gather data that will allows them to predict the weather one year from that day.

Lesson 3 - Ocean currents & thermohaline circulation:
Students will continue the guided section or STEM Challenge. Once this has been completed, students may begin the ‘Extra for Experts’ section. This is a series of application questions that are based on the reading and understanding of the entire module.

Lesson 4 - Optional 'Extra for Experts':
Students will continue the 'Extra for Experts' section.

Please note - Lesson times are a pacing guide. You can adjust the pace depending on your school's timetable/students' abilities.

Resources

Access resources here

Secondary Teaching Program (Linked to Australian Curriculum
Secondary Module 8 Teacher Guide
Secondary Module 8 Student Workbook
Secondary Module 8 Student Workbook (Answers)
Secondary Module 8 Student PowerPoint
Secondary Module 8 Teacher PowerPoint
Secondary Module 8 Lab Request Form
Secondary Module 8 Assessment
Secondary Module 8 Assessment Answer Key

Other Modules

Module 1	Module 2	Module 3	Module 4	Module 5
Module 6	Module 7	Module 8	Module 9	Module 10