Interpreting Lake Erie Temperatures
Activity - Classroom
Grades3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8Earth and Space Sciences, Mathematics
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Provided by Michigan Sea Grant
What it is
- 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.
Teaching tips
Positives
- This worksheet gives students real data to graph.
- Students learn about the complexity of the Great Lakes ecosystem.
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.
From the scientist review
This resource from Michigan Sea Grant provides teachers with an activity plan for data analysis. A link on the website includes several downloads that include graphs, data sheets, and a map; along with extension ideas. The references and sourced material utilized for this lesson plan are from reliable organizations and but contain some dated data. Even with the older data set, this activity would be a valuable resource for educators seeking to enhance climate-related learning experiences in the classroom.
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