Course Title: | Oceanography Section JS |
Course Code: | rahycejs |
MA NCES Code: | 03049 |
Discipline: | Science - General |
Grade Level: | 09, 10, 11, 12 |
Level: | Honors |
Offering: | Spring Only (Spring: 25 Seats; )
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Duration: | 15 weeks |
Prerequisites: | It is strongly recommended that students have a working knowledge of basic Algebra, Geometry and Trigonometry.
There is no media kit for this class. Students will be expected to provide “kitchen science equipment” such as a clear plastic container, food coloring, aluminum foil, paper towels, etc. |
Additional Requirements: | |
Accredited by: | Certified by NCAA for initial-eligibility (VHS School Code: 221356); Middle States Commission on Secondary Schools; Northwest Accreditation Commission |
Course Requires a Media Kit to be Shipped to Students:
No |
Course Requires a Media Kit to be Purchased by Course Sponsor
(see additional details below):
No |
Description:
"There are no passengers on Spaceship Earth. We are all crew." Marshall McLuhan.
Students will board the USS Cyber, a virtual oceanographic research vessel modeled after the flagship of NOAA's fleet for a sail that begins in Woods Hole, Massachusetts, and ends in the Gulf of Alaska. As the crew of the ship, students will perform scientific experiments and collect data that will teach them about the geology, chemistry, and physics of the ocean. From the Bay of Fundy in Nova Scotia to the Caribbean and the Californian coast, from the coral reefs to the extreme hydrothermal vent communities, students will make observations about the sea's ecosystems and the sometimes-unexpected life within them. Students are expected to participate fully as members of the expedition. If you've ever wondered what it might be like to go to sea, pack your bags, and join us.
This is an honors level survey course covering the basics of physical oceanography and marine biology presented in a fun and engaging format. Prospective students need to be self-motivated, willing to work in a team environment and have previously been enrolled in honors level science courses. Individual assignments, topical discussions, group projects and regular reading checks take the place of traditional tests. In lieu of a midterm or final exam, students will be expected to complete a major individual project each term. The weekly assignments often rely on a multimedia component. In addition, students will be expected to access and analyze real oceanographic data which may require the use of a spreadsheet program such as Excel. Writing assignments range from informal discussions to formal lab reports and term papers that include appropriate citations. The course is fast-paced and rigorous but would still be suitable for a highly-motivated eighth grader. No prior knowledge of oceanography is expected.
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