Organization of Background Information Sections

Each background section is organized according to the following layout:

5 Themes indicated in national and state standards divide the topic material into

• Systems and Structures,
  
• Energy,
  
• Change,
  
• Interactions,
  
• Measurement.
  

We then provide:

1. Objectives - which clearly define what the student is expected to learn as defined by the cited TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) chapter and paragraph. For Example: demonstrate that new substances can be made when two or more substances are chemically combined and compare the properties of the new substances to the original substances (*6.7-A).
   
2. Key Concepts - which provide detailed teacher information topics such as bathymetry, waves, salinity, etc.
   
3. Classroom activity - where applicable a link to OceanWorld's own Classroom Activities which correspond directly to the given topic and theme. Please see the section "How-to use OceanWorld Activities" for more information on their intention and purpose.
   
4. Resources - additional websites and learning materials related to the topic and theme.

Background Information Topics

1. Properties of the Ocean
   This section primarily deals with the physical properties of the ocean, their observation, measurement and interaction.
   
2. Ocean Currents and Circulation
   This section primarily deals with the ocean currents, the processes which cause them, historical factors influencing them, and their impact on climate.
   
3. El Niño
   This section primarily deals with El Niño, its causes, cycle, and impact.
   
4. The Oceanic Heat Budget
   This section primarily deals with the concept of the heat budget, the water cycle, regional and seasonal change, the greenhouse effect.
   
5. Fisheries
   This section primarily deals with fisheries, sea life, human impact on habitat, oceanic occurrences impacting sea life.