Teacher Guide—Earth Science Module - Estuaries NOAA

AlternativesIf you want to use a local river and estuary instead of theAlabama River, produce an alternate river trip for Part 1using Google Earth.If you wish to use hardcopy materials instead of GoogleEarth, obtain topographic or other types of maps forstudents to use in Part 2 of the activity.ProcedurePart 1 — What is an Estuary?1. Begin by asking students what they know aboutestuaries.2. Have students each sketch or describe what it mightlook like where the river meets the ocean. Selectstudents to hold up their diagrams and describe whatthey drew. Emphasize the variety of estuaries andthe fact that different types exist.3. During the discussion, ask the following questionsto get students to think more deeply about theseplaces where fresh water from rivers and streamsrun into ocean water:National Science Education StandardsContent Standard A: Science as InquiryA3. Use technology and mathematics to improveinvestigations and communications.A4. Formulate and revise scientific explanationsusing logic and evidence.A6. Communicate and defend a scientific argument.Content Standard C: Life ScienceC4. Interdependence of organismsContent Standard E: Science and TechnologyE1. Identify a problem or identify an opportunityE6. Understandings about science and technologyContent Standard F: Science in Personal andSocial PerspectivesF4. Environmental qualityF5. Natural and human-induced hazardsGoogle EarthThis activity requires the use of Google Earth. Ifstudents have computer access, the use of Google Earth(http://earth.google.com/) can help themdevelop spatial skills.How big are these places?How can you tell where the fresh water endsand ocean water starts? Can you see itclearly, like a waterfall into the sea or is it alittle less obvious, like a hose underwater in aswimming pool?What do you know about where fresh watermeets the ocean? What landforms orfeatures may be present?Find the Tutorial “Using Google Earth to ExploreEstuaries” in Estuaries.noaa.gov, click under Curriculum,and then the sub-tab titled “Tutorials”.Earth Science Module—Activity 13