The Search For El Nino
(Internet Scavenger Hunt)
SOURCE: An original lesson plan by Erika Hoornaert CONTENT STANDARDS/TARGET: This lesson targets the 6th grade weather curriculum in
Waterford, MI.
Discipline 4: Earth Science
Content Statement: E.ES.M.7 Weather and Climate – Global patterns of atmospheric and
oceanic movement influence weather and climate.
Content Expectation: E.ES.07.73 – Explain how the temperature of the oceans affects the
different climates on Earth because water in the oceans holds a large amount of heat.
OBJECTIVES/BACKGROUND: By the end of this lesson, students should be able to:
-
Describe the neutral/normal (non El Nino) conditions of the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Compare El Nino conditions to neutral conditions.
Describe the effects of El Nino.
No additional background information is necessary to complete the lesson.
RELEVANT VOCABULARY: (all of the following vocabulary words are defined within the
lesson): SST (sea surface temperature), El Nino, La Nina, neutral/normal conditions,
upwelling, thermocline, trade winds, Southern Oscillation (ENSO), ecosystem and coral
bleaching.
MATERIALS: “The Search For El Nino” scavenger hunt activity sheet, 2 blank world maps
and the Internet.
PROCEDURE: Print and make copies of “The Search For El Nino” scavenger hunt activity
sheet and blank world maps for your students. Then follow the directions as indicated on the
activity sheet.
ASSESSMENT: “The Search For El Nino” activity sheet and completed world maps showing
neutral/normal and El Nino conditions in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Name:__________________________________
The Search For El Nino
(Internet Scavenger Hunt Activity Sheet)
Directions: Go to each website and use the information there to answer the questions.
1. http://www.weatherwizkids.com/climate.htm
a. What is El Nino?
b. Where is the warmest water in a normal year?
c. Where does the warm water go during an El Nino year?
d. What is La Nina?
e.
T
or
F
The El Nino and La Nina climate patterns can affect weather
around the globe.
f.
T
or
F
El Nino brings cooler than normal temperatures to the Great
Lakes area in late winter and spring and drier than normal
conditions in portions of the Midwest.
2. http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/earth/ocean_motion/el_nino_index.cfm
a. What can the unexpected warm waters during an El Nino cause?
b. During an El Nino year, the path of the _____ _________, which helps determine
the weather in North America, is altered.
3. http://www.atmos.washington.edu/gcg/RTN/Figures/RTN7.html
a. How does an El Nino year affect the marine ecosystem along the coasts of
Ecuador and Peru?
b. How do you think these changes might affect the communities living along these
coasts?
4. http://kids.earth.nasa.gov/archive/nino/intro.html
Click on “Normal Conditions (Non El Nino)” under the top picture.
a. ______________________ is the term used to describe when deeper, colder water
from the bottom of the ocean moves up toward the surface. This nutrient-rich water
is responsible for supporting a large fish population along the Peruvian coast. This
occurs because the ___________ winds are blowing the warm water to the west.
b. Use one of the blank world maps (w/ the Pacific Ocean in the center) to
draw/color/label how the ocean looks during neutral/normal (non El Nino)
conditions.
Use the backspace arrow to return to the original screen. Now click on the “El Nino
Conditions” under the bottom picture.
c. During El Nino conditions, the trade winds __________________ and allow the
warmer water from the west to flow toward the east.
This _____________________ the temperature of the water in the eastern Pacific,
suppressing the upwelling process.
Without access to this _______-________ source, many fish die off and in turn,
hurt the fishing industry in Peru.
d. Use one of the blank world maps (w/ the Pacific Ocean in the center) to
draw/color/label how the ocean looks during El Nino conditions.
Use the backspace arrow to return to the original screen.
d. Although El Nino events are unpredictable and scientists do not really understand
how they form, they do know that is causes _________________________ to
sensitive ecosystems.
5. http://meteora.ucsd.edu/~pierce/elnino/whatis.html
a. How often do El Nino’s occur?
b. How long can a strong El Nino last?
You are finished!
Please turn in this activity sheet, along with
your completed world maps to your teacher