Taking the Plunge: Designing Submersibles
Welcome to the 2012-2013 school year. The Elementary students will be studying water and engineering by "Taking the Plunge:Designing Submersibles." This study introduces the field of ocean engineering by guiding students to explore how ocean engineers use their knowledge of science, math, the ocean, and their creativity to design and test technologies that solve problems related to ocean environments. Hands on activities, discussions, and readings are used to introduce students to the Engineering Design Process, the work of ocean engineers, and other engineering and technology concepts appropriate for elementary students.
Background
Depending on the source you reference, 40-60% of the world's populatin lives within approximately 125 miles of the ocean. Given this statistic, it is especially surprising that we know less about the ocean than we do outer space. With three quarters of planet Earth covered by ocean water, the ocean is a vast and complex mystery. Only about five percent of the ocean's volume has been explored to date. The barriers to ocean exploration include the decrease in light penetration with depth, the increase in water pressure with depth, and the corrosiveness of salt water.
Ocean engineers work to tackle the barriers inherent in exploring the ocean. They develop technologies that address the needs of ocean scientsits and marine biologists, solve problems for coastal populations, and help industries that look to the ocean for resources. Ocean engineering is a diverse field that combines aspects of mechanical, electrical, civil, accoustical, chemical, and materials engineering. At work an ocean engineer might:
...design instuments to monitor ocean processes.
...design instruments to record features of the ocean floor.
...design manned or unmanned ocean exploration vehicles.
...devlop technologies based on underwater acoustics.
...study and model the motion of the ocean (currents).
...study and model drag on ocean vessels.
...develop models for the wind-driven and tidal motion of water in coastal areas.
,,,study the geomechanics of the ocean floor to locate areas appropriate for anchoring structures such as piers or burying structures such as pipelines.
For those who do not live proximate to the coast, the importance of the ocean to our lives can easily be forgotten. Connections to the ocean affect all people on the planet, though, not just those living near the ocean. All major watersheds on Earth drain into the ocean. The ocean is a key component of the water cycle and our climate here on Earth. Approximately 75% of the water vapor in the atmosphere comes from the ocean and most of the oxygen in the atmosphere is produced by photosynthetic organisms in the ocean. The ocean is a large source of food and other resources such as petroleum. The work of ocean scientists and ocean engineers helps us to better understand how to best use ocean resources, how to care for the ocean, ant the impact that human activity has on the ocean.
Ocean engineers work to tackle the barriers inherent in exploring the ocean. They develop technologies that address the needs of ocean scientsits and marine biologists, solve problems for coastal populations, and help industries that look to the ocean for resources. Ocean engineering is a diverse field that combines aspects of mechanical, electrical, civil, accoustical, chemical, and materials engineering. At work an ocean engineer might:
...design instuments to monitor ocean processes.
...design instruments to record features of the ocean floor.
...design manned or unmanned ocean exploration vehicles.
...devlop technologies based on underwater acoustics.
...study and model the motion of the ocean (currents).
...study and model drag on ocean vessels.
...develop models for the wind-driven and tidal motion of water in coastal areas.
,,,study the geomechanics of the ocean floor to locate areas appropriate for anchoring structures such as piers or burying structures such as pipelines.
For those who do not live proximate to the coast, the importance of the ocean to our lives can easily be forgotten. Connections to the ocean affect all people on the planet, though, not just those living near the ocean. All major watersheds on Earth drain into the ocean. The ocean is a key component of the water cycle and our climate here on Earth. Approximately 75% of the water vapor in the atmosphere comes from the ocean and most of the oxygen in the atmosphere is produced by photosynthetic organisms in the ocean. The ocean is a large source of food and other resources such as petroleum. The work of ocean scientists and ocean engineers helps us to better understand how to best use ocean resources, how to care for the ocean, ant the impact that human activity has on the ocean.
Additional Resources
- American Society for Engineering Education
http://www.egfi-k12.org
National Academy of Engineering - Engineer Girl!
http://www.engineergirl.org/
Immersion Presents
http://www.immersionpresents.org
National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Association - Ocean Explorer
http://oceanexplorer.noaa.gov
MIT Sea Grant Sea Perch Program
http://seaperch.mit.edu
http://seaperch.mit.edu
