Marine Snow Challenge: Ocean Blizzard

This resource, published by Georgia Tech Research Institute, features an science activity designed for eighth graders. In this activity, students engage as environmental engineers to determine how the oil from the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill landed at the bottom of the ocean in order to prevent damage to deep water corals. The lesson covers marine snow, basic concepts of density, and the other factors that affect the movement of particles in fluids. Students will:

• Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information about the structure and properties of matter,
• Plan and carry out investigations to compare and contrast chemical (i.e., reactivity, combustibility) and physical (i.e., density, melting point, boiling point) properties of matter.

The activity is divided into four sections that last five class periods. The prep guide includes materials needed, planning, key questions and concepts, and grading opportunities for each section of the activity. The resource includes the following:

• An 22-page curriculum booklet with an annotated teacher's version
• A 12-page teacher's prep guide
• Materials list
• Supply checklist
• An 8-page student worksheet packet
• A video exploring the effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill