Oceans of Energy 

NOAA Ocean Explorer

This lesson focuses on the importance of ocean exploration as a way to learn how to capture, control, and distribute renewable ocean energy resources. Students begin by identifying ways the ocean can generate energy and then research one ocean energy source using the Internet. Finally, students build a Micro-Hydro Electric Generator.

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Notes from our reviewers

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Educators should prepare many of the components of the micro-hydro electric generator in advance. However, it is important that the students do the final assembly themselves to solidify their understanding.
The quality of the science in this resource is a function of the quality of the web sources used by the students to answer the questions on the Ocean Energy Inquiry Guide. Student understanding of the science process will depend on how the educator presents the background on the exploration mission of the NOAA ship Okeanos Explorer. Significant background information as well as additional resources provided. Comments from expert scientist: It explains the difference between different forms of energy and discusses how not all of the energy contained in the ocean can be harnessed by humans. The lesson outlines all of the major forms of ocean related energy that could be used by humans. It clearly describes the different forms of energy, and how the different harnessing technologies work.
Aside from a conventional guided-inquiry component, the activity also includes the construction of a micro-hydro electric generator. While there are 32 steps in this construction, this element of the lesson provides a strong grounding in how electricity is generated from a primary source of energy. This is useful for both terrestrial and ocean energy sources. Teachers guide is organized, complete, and contains helpful suggestions. Significant time will be required by the teacher to prepare materials for the the micro-hydro electric generator. Students will likely be engaged by this activity because it addresses a topic rarely covered in science classes and involves hands-on building. Activities move between class discussion, background reading, group and independent learning, and final presentations.
All the primary links work as of April 5, 2011. This is a good introductory lesson to renewable energy with a focus on oceanic sources. Costs: materials for micro-hydro electric generator. The construction of all the components of the micro-hydro generator is likely too difficult for middle schoolers. The preparation time is very extensive, and it would be helpful to create a micro-hydro electric generator as a model. This is classic project-based learning and may be applicable as a unit of instruction.