Req 7 — Choose an Ocean Investigation
7.
Do ONE of the following:
You must choose exactly one investigation for this requirement. Each option teaches real oceanography, but they use different tools and different kinds of evidence.
Your Options
- Req 7a — Catch & Identify Plankton: Build a simple plankton net, collect a sample, and identify common drifters. This option gives you hands-on experience with marine biology and field sampling.
- Req 7b — Build a Coral Reef Model: Make physical models showing how a volcanic island can develop fringing reefs, barrier reefs, and finally an atoll. This option helps you understand reef formation and Darwin’s theory.
- Req 7c — Track Water Conditions: Measure water temperature, air temperature, turbidity, cloud cover, and surface conditions over five days. This option is great if you like data collection and graphing.
- Req 7d — Model Sediment Movement: Build a model coastline and show how waves, tides, and littoral currents move sand. This option focuses on coastal geology.
- Req 7e — Build a Wave Tank: Create a wave generator and test reflection, refraction, and the effects of coastal structures. This option is best if you enjoy experiments.
- Req 7f — Track Satellite Images: Monitor satellite images of one location for three weeks and explain what changed. This option is best for pattern-spotters who like weather and remote sensing.
How to Choose
Choosing Your Investigation
Pick the option that best fits your tools, time, and interests
- Best for field biology: 7a gets you outside collecting a real sample and looking at life under magnification.
- Best for hands-on model building: 7b and 7d both involve building models, but 7b focuses on reef formation while 7d focuses on shoreline change.
- Best for measurement and graphing: 7c gives you a small dataset you can analyze over time.
- Best for physics experiments: 7e helps you see wave behavior directly.
- Best for computer-based observation: 7f uses online imagery and patience over three weeks instead of a one-day activity.
- What you will gain: 7a builds sampling skills, 7b teaches long-term geologic change, 7c strengthens data habits, 7d explains coastal landforms, 7e makes wave behavior visible, and 7f develops remote-observation skills.
Whichever option you choose, take clear notes and save evidence like sketches, graphs, photos, or observation logs. Your counselor will want to see what you actually did, not just hear a quick summary later.