Hands-On Oceanography

A recurring column in Oceanography magazine, Hands-On Oceanography provides peer-reviewed activities appropriate for undergraduate and/or graduate classes in oceanography. Hands-on is broadly interpreted as those activities that actively engage students (i.e., activities where students have to make decisions, record results, and interpret results). Hands-on activities include, but are not limited to, computer-based models and laboratory demonstrations. Below is a list with links to all of the published activities.

In addition to the recurring column, the supplemental issue of Oceanography, Teaching Physical Concepts in Oceanography, offers a collection of hands-on/minds-on activities for teaching physical concepts that are fundamental in oceanography.

SUBMIT AN ACTIVITY

We encourage submissions of hands-on activities to Ellen Kappel, Oceanography Editor (ekappel@geo-prose.com). Submitted activities will be peer-reviewed. Accepted hands-on activities will be published in Oceanography and posted online as downloadable pdf files. Text plus graphics must fit on four to six magazine pages (roughly 2,000-3,500 words and 2-4 figures). Suggested subheadings include:

• Purpose of Activity
• Audience
• Background
• Research Question
• Materials
• Activity
• Possible Modifications to Activity

Please make sure to include an estimate of the the amount of time needed to complete the lab.

PUBLISHED ACTIVITIES

Engineering Literacy for Undergraduates in Marine Science: A Case for Hands On
E. Boss and J. Loftin. 2012. Oceanography 25(2):219–221, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2012.61.

Lake in a Bottle: A Laboratory Demonstration of the Unusual Stability Properties of Freshwater
J.A. Austin, E.B. Voytek, J. Halbur, and M.A. Macuiane. 2011. Oceanography 24(4):136–142, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2011.107.

Drifters, Drogues, and Circulation
T.O. Manley. 2010. Oceanography 23(4):165–171, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2010.17.

Sorting Out Sediment Grain Size and Plastic Pollution
H.L. Spalding, K.M. Duncan, and Z. Norcross-Nu'u. 2009. Oceanography 22(4):244–250, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2009.117.

A Classroom Activity Using Satellite Sea Surface Temperatures to Predict Coral Bleaching
B.-A. Parker, T.R.L. Christensen, S.F. Heron, J.A. Morgan, and C.M. Eakin. 2009. Oceanography 22(2):252–257, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2009.58.
     • Worksheet (3 MB pdf)
     • Worksheet Answers (720 KB pdf)

Mix it Up, Mix it Down: Intriguing Implications of Ocean Layering
P.J.S. Franks and S.E.R. Franks. 2009. Oceanography 22(1):228–233, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2009.27.

A Tabletop Demonstration of Atmospheric Dynamics: Baroclinic Instability
B.T. Nadiga and J.M. Aurnou. 2008. Oceanography 21(4):196–201, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2008.24.

Assessing the Importance of Sand as a Source of Fecal Indicator Bacteria (Escherichia coli and Enterococcus)
K.L. Knee, R.L. Leopold, E.R. Madsen, and A. Paytan. 2008. Oceanography 21(3):98–106, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2008.44.

A Laboratory Demonstration of Coriolis Effects on Wind-Driven Ocean Currents
D. Beesley, J. Olejarz, A. Tandon, and J. Marshall. 2008. Oceanography 21(2):72–76, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2008.60.

Diffusion at Work—An Interactive Simulation
L. Karp-Boss, E. Boss, and J. Loftin. 2007. Oceanography 20(3):127–131, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2007.40.

Phosphorus in Our Waters
A. Paytan and K. McLaughlin. 2007. Oceanography 20(2):200–206, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2007.71.

Investigating Coastal Processes and Nitrate Levels in the Elkhorn Slough Using Real-Time Data
L.G. Adams and G.I. Matsumoto. 2007. Oceanography 20(1):200–204, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2007.97.

An Integrated Model Simulation and Empirical Laboratory on Biological Encounter Rates
S. Menden-Deuer. 2006. Oceanography 19(4):185–189, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2006.37.
     • Instructions for Students (64 KB pdf)
     • Simulation Code Files
        To run the simulations, download the two code files below into the same folder. Navigate to that folder from within Matlab.
        Either type 'encounter' in the command window or open and run the 'encounter.m' file.
            - enc_code.m (4 KB matlab code)
            - encounter.m (4 KB matlab code)

An Introduction to Finding Context
J. Boucher and L.E. Sahl. 2006. Oceanography 19(3):146–149, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2006.56.

Settling Particles in Aquatic Environments: Low Reynolds Numbers
E. Boss, L. Karp-Boss, and P.A. Jumars. 2006. Oceanography 19(2):151–154, http://dx.doi.org/10.5670/oceanog.2006.85.