Activity or Mini-Lesson

Shapes Of The Seafloor

Ocean Exploration Trust

Using the 5E method (Engage, Explore, Explain, Extend, Evaluate) students will gain an understanding of why seafloor mapping is a valuable tool in ocean exploration. With Play-Doh and shoe boxes, students will create their own simulated seafloor and use skewers to measure various depths to resemble what an ocean floor would look like. This unit connects well to learning topographic maps and landforms.

Objectives & learning outcomes

The student will:

explore modern mapping tools that reveal ocean floor shapes and why seafloor mapping is important to ocean exploration;
gain an understanding of topographic maps and build their own topographic map;
relate the concepts of sonar and animal echolocation.