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 ).
- 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?
- 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.
A great book that talks about jellies as drifters is “Jellies” by Twig C. George. It would be a great book to read before doing this activity.