Ocean Drifters and Currents Recap

• newEditor

Using Technology
in Ocean Observation

A 4th Grade Science Lesson

An Overview

Grade 4 Science – Earth & Space

Standard: SC.4.E.6.5

Students will go through a recap of today's lesson and complete an interactive review activity where they answer questions about ocean currents and ocean drifters. This activity will reinforce their learning by helping them apply their knowledge and receive immediate feedback.

Essential
Question

How do tools help scientists observe things that we cannot see?

2

What do you see?

• Drifters move with ocean currents

• Scientists use them to collect data

• What kind of data can they collect?

Ocean Currents!

Ocean Currents = Moving water in the ocean

4

Move heat + water + objects

Caused by wind, temperature, and Earth’s rotation

Gyres

• Large circular ocean currents

• Found between continents

• Drifters often cluster here

WATCH ME

Ocean Drifters

• Tools used by scientists.

• Track ocean movement.

• Collect data

(temperature, location, etc).

• Send information using satellites.

How does technology help?

• Collects data from far places

• Helps predict weather and pollution

• Tracks movement over time

7

What did we learn?

• Ocean currents move objects

• Drifters help scientists learn more about the ocean

• Technology helps us see what we couldn’t see before.

What did we do?

• Selected a drifter

• Collected and recorded data

• Made predictions

• Worked together

9

Quiz Time!

1. Read each question carefully

2. Click on the answer

3. Check if your answer is correct

4. Try again if needed

What do ocean drifters measure?

A

Earthquake activity

B

Air pressure and humidity

C

Land temperature

D

Ocean currents and temperature

What is a gyre?

A

A weather phenomenon

B

A large system of rotating ocean currents

C

A type of fish

D

An ocean floor feature

Why are ocean currents important?

A

They generate electricity

B

They create landforms

C

They affect climate and weather patterns

D

They filter ocean water

What do ocean currents move?

A

Water, heat, and nutrients

B

Animals and plants

C

Air and clouds

D

Mountains and rocks

How do ocean drifters work?

A

They dive deep underwater

B

They float with ocean currents

C

They swim against currents

D

They are powered by engines

9

Technology Integration

UDL:

• The interactive quiz will keep the students involved and engaged.

• Students demonstrate their learning by selecting answers which requires action from them.

SAMR Level:

• Redefinition: Students receive immediate feedback on the quiz, and can retry. This would not be possible with traditional paper-based test.

Thank you

References:

Bible gateway. (2011). New international version. Bible gateway. Https://www.Biblegateway.Com/

CPALMS. (2019). Standards | CPALMS.Org. Cpalms.Org. Https://www.Cpalms.Org/public/search/standard

Frost science. (N.D.). Drifting science. Retrieved april 13, 2026, from https://www.Frostscience.Org/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/driftingscience.Pdf

Noaa us. (2019). What is a gyre? Atlantic oceanographic and meteorological laboratory website noaa.Gov. Https://oceanservice.Noaa.Gov/facts/gyre.Html

Noaa, us. (2024). Global drifter array. Atlantic oceanographic and meteorological laboratory website noaa.Gov. Https://www.Aoml.Noaa.Gov/phod/gdp/interactive/drifter_array.Html

Patterson, T. (2020). Physical map of world continents. Nations online project nationsonline.Org. Https://www.Nationsonline.Org/maps/world-continents-topographic-map.Jpg

Weatherstem. (2026). Meteorology. Weatherstem. Https://learn.Weatherstem.Com/courses/wxstem_meteorology_01/module-06/03/07.Html