Influence of Oceans on Weather and Climate Science Games

4 games

In this series of games, your students will learn about ocean currents and how they transfer thermal energy to change air temperatures. The Influence of Oceans on Weather and Climate learning objective — based on NGSS and state standards — delivers improved student engagement and academic performance in your classroom, as demonstrated by research.

Scroll down for a preview of this learning objective’s games and the concepts they drive home.

Concepts Covered

Water heats up by absorbing sunlight and transforming it into thermal energy. At lower latitudes (closer to the equator), there is a great deal of direct sunlight, so the ocean water is much warmer than at higher latitudes.

Heat, in the form of thermal energy, naturally moves from warmer substances to colder ones. When the ocean is warmer than the atmosphere, it transfers heat — through conduction and radiation — to make the air warmer. When the atmosphere is warmer, the ocean absorbs its thermal energy, making the air colder. Water stores more energy than air, so its temperature doesn’t change as quickly as air temperature.

Thermal energy also moves within the ocean and within the atmosphere through the process of convection. During convection, cooler water or air sinks, and warmer water or air rises. This movement causes currents.

Ocean currents are like rivers of water moving through the sea. Some currents are caused by convection, while others, called surface currents, are driven by wind. These currents move water all around the earth, bringing warm water to cooler areas and vice versa. This redistributes thermal energy and causes changes in the weather.

Closer to the ocean, the air and water temperature stay pretty balanced because they are constantly exchanging thermal energy. That is why coastal regions usually experience more temperate climates.

Scientists use satellites, as well as instruments on boats and buoys in the water, to map surface water temperatures in the ocean. These maps help us understand the way ocean currents move and how they affect climate.

A preview of each game in the learning objective is found below.

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Image for Influence of the Oceans
Influence of the Oceans Estimated Duration: 5 minutes Why is water colder the deeper you go? In this game, you will learn about convection and conduction with regards to the ocean. You will learn about how the ocean affects temperature and weather. You will observe simulated explanations of thermal energy and the oceans. Make sure you pay close attention. You will be asked questions at the end from the information you learn.
Image for Influence of Oceans on Weather and Climate
Influence of Oceans on Weather and Climate Estimated Duration: 4 minutes The ocean exerts a major influence on weather and climate by absorbing energy from the sun, releasing it over time, and globally redistributing it through ocean currents.
Image for Galaxy Escape
Galaxy Escape Estimated Duration: 20 minutes 10 Bright Monsters have been captured in space and they need your help to cross the galaxy jumping between platforms, finding them, and releasing them by correctly answering each question. Each monster that you release and unlock will be available to play with in the next level, in the search for the next monster. In your journey, you’ll be able to find power-ups, like ‘Double points’ and ‘Slow down’, which can be activated by finding gems, and their duration can be extended by correctly answering a question. Unlock and release the 10 different monsters and a spaceship along 10 different levels, while you make the most possible points.
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Robot Chef Estimated Duration: 18 minutes Congratulations, you are creating the first all-robot restaurant in the city! As you serve more customers, you will be able to build more robots to assist in delivering tasty treats. Attend Night School and answer questions to earn advanced robot chefs!
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