Engage
Introduction: Show the live feed from the underwater camera at the vent called Mushroom
Ask:
What do you see? What do you wonder?
Explain:
The Regional Cabled Array, a component of the Ocean Observatories Initiative (OOI) uses advanced technology and tools to stream live data to shore, at the speed of light, from over 150 instruments data that helps a global science community to answer questions and to form new ones not possible without these data. One of the tools they use to collect data on changes of animal and microbial communities at underwater vents at an active volcano (Axial Seamount) is a High Definition (HD) camera on the volcano. The camera streams live video to shore of of the hydrothermal vent called Mushroom that is covered in animals and bacteria.
Show the Bottom Pressure and Tilt instrument.
Ask: What do you notice? What do you wonder?
Explain: Another tool scientists use to to measure seafloor deformation is a Bottom Pressure and Tilt instrument. On the Regional Cabled Array, the Bottom Pressure and Tilt (BOTPT) instruments measure uplift and deflation changes during underwater volcanic eruptions. Using over two decades of measurements, data from these instruments are helping scientists predict when future eruptions might occur.
Explore
Explain: Today you will visit the “Instruments” tab on the OOI Regional Cabled Array website and become familiar with several instruments scientists use to understand underwater volcanoes. You will present your findings in a slideshow format.
Explain: Working with a partner, select one instrument to become familiar with. Each partner group will select a different instrument so that we can jigsaw our learning.
Learning Activity
OOI Regional Cabled Array Instruments Jigsaw
Your slides should be formatted in the following manner:
Cover Slide – Name of your Instrument and your names, class name, date
Information Slides (you decide the order)
- Photos and or videos of your instrument.
- Type of data your instrument collects and screen shot/snip of the actual data.
- Places your instrument is located in relationship to Axial Seamount.
- Examples of interesting data your instrument has collected.
- Why you selected this instrument to study?
End Slide – Research Resources: links to website(s) you used for your research.
Check for Understanding (formative assessment)
Use student slideshow presentation to check for understanding.
