Activity: Jellies as Drifters

Objectives

Students will be able to:

• interpret real time wave height, directional flow and sea surface temperature data
• predict where jellies might be lurking in the ocean

Materials

Computer with Internet access
Student worksheet – Jellies as Drifters

Background

Jellies are drifters, meaning that their movement is largely at the mercy of the tides and currents in the water.

Procedure

Today, a large group of moon jellies (sting) was found at 39:30 N 74:00 W.

Concentrations of moon jellies are usually found in the temperature range of 9 – 19°C (but they can withstand temperatures as low as -6 and as high as 31°C ).

1. Access the Coolroom Sea Surface Temperature data (http://www.thecoolroom.org/boaters/boat_sst.htm) and determine if the temperature of the water might effect the moon jellies?
2. Access the Coolroom CODAR data (http://www.thecoolroom.org/boaters/boat_codar.htm) and determine where the jellies might move.

Extensions

• Build your own Jelly – NY Aquarium Jellies Exhibit  (http://www.alienstingers.com)
• Discovery Channel – Science of the Deep – Movie – Salps – Mid Water Mysteries

This activity was originally developed by COSEE-MA by Liesl Hotaling and Janice McDonnell.