The goal of this investigation is to provide the students with spatial and temporal datasets on primary production and water temperature so that they can develop their own question(s) and hypothesis. In addition to demonstrating seasonality and spatial differences in the ocean, it can be used to as an introduction to spring blooms and heat capacity and can be incorporated into nutrient availability and runoff and upwelling lessons.
The goal of this investigation is to have the students develop their own questions and a hypothesis for their question. It can be used to encourage critical thinking about temporal and spatial differences in the water temperature and primary production along the East Coast of the United States. In addition to seasonality and spatial differences in the ocean, this investigation can be used to as an introduction to spring blooms and heat capacity and can be incorporated into nutrient availability and runoff and upwelling lessons.
Lecture Questions: You may want to review how to read a SST or chlorophyll image. Additionally, you may want to ask the following questions related to going over the definition of a phytoplankton and how they perform photosynthesis:
Misconceptions: The students may believe that most of the primary production in the ocean occurs during the summer and that ocean water temperatures mimic air temperatures (ignoring the differences in heat capacity).