Problem: sailing south from Pensacola, Florida to the Yucatan Peninsula what would be the best route to take to maximize speed?

 

Group Tasks and Organization

          
Day 1: Get to know the maps-

~Ocean Features Analysis Map
    1. Look at the Loop Currents and the Gulf Stream. Use a colored pencil 
       to color the Gulf Stream in order to see where it originates and the path 
       it takes.

    2. Look at the direction of the Warm Eddies (WE).  These are important 
       to sailors in getting a  boost south.

    3. Compare the temperatures of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean 
       as they move from the equator north.

    4. Locate the beginning of the Gulf Stream then follow it and compare the 
       temperatures with the water around it.

    5. Compare the temperatures of the shelf water and deeper water.

 ~Multi-Channel Sea Surface Temperature Map
   Put this map on the overhead and find the Gulf Stream. Discuss that the 
   numbers on the Features Analysis map have been assigned color values 
   on this map.

~Spectral Wave Prediction (SWAPS)
  1. On the overhead examine this map. Discuss the color coding of the 
     wave heights and that the  arrows indicate wind direction. Discuss any 
     correlation with weather patterns. Winds from the north will be bringing 
     cool dry air. Winds from the south will be bringing warm moist air. 

  2. Pass out the student copies of the SWAPS maps and have them use the 
     colored pencils to super-impose the wind direction using latitude and 
     longitude. 
      
   3. Talk about how this would influence a sailor's route.

~Altimetry
    This final data will indicate wind speeds with in the area. Use it to fine 
    tune the route.

Day 2:
Based on the data students predict which route would take a sailing 
vessel the least amount of time to reach the Yucatan Peninsula. 

Students should draw the route on their maps.

Days 3-6:
Working in cooperative groups students locate new data at the 
Naval Oceanographic site then print and post it to share with the rest of 
the class.

Materials

Print out:

     Transparencies:
        * The Gulf Stream South Oceanographic Features Analysis Map
               New maps are posted on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday
        * The Gulf Stream Multi-Channel Sea Surface Temperature
        * Spectral Wave Prediction (SWAPS)
        * Altimetry
  

      Handouts-One for each student:

        * The Gulf Stream South Oceanographic Features Analysis Map
                  This will be the main map for daily analysis of all data.
        * Spectral Wave Prediction (SWAPS)
        * Altimetry

Team Organization 
There are four teams to correspond with the four types of data.

Ocean Features Analysis Team
The data is available on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday.

Multi-Channel Sea Surface Temperature Team

The data is available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday.

The Spectral Wave Prediction System (SWAPS) Team

The data is available daily.

Altimetry Team

Check daily to see if it is available for the Gulf of Mexico on one of the satellite's passes.

Tasks for each set of data: