Sea Level Rise Experiment

Name: __________________________________________________________ Date: _____________ Period: _______

Learning Objectives:1. Students will be able to design a sea level measurement instrument and build a simple

working model.2. Students will be able to link changes in sea level to climate change.

Materials:

- 1 gallon milk jug - Measuring Tape- Ice - Scissors- Glue/Adhesive - Water- Plastic Plate

Procedure:1. Remove the top from the milk jug using a pair of scissors.2. Tape measuring tape to the side of the handle. 3. Fill the milk jug with tap water so that the water level falls within the measuring tape

area.4. Continue the experiment testing different factors that will contribute to the rise of sea

level.

What factors Influence Sea Level Rise?_________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

Make predictions:What happens to the sea level when each of the following happen:

a) Floating ice or icebergs melt ___________________________________________________________b) The temperature of the water heats up _______________________________________________c) Ice on land melts and the water runs into the ocean _________________________________d) The water gets colder ___________________________________________________________________

July 2016 rev 2 NSF DRL-1316782

Observations

Treatment Simulate floating ice or icebergs:ADD 10 cubes of ice

Glacier or Continental Ice:ADD 10 ice cubes to the plate and place on top of milk jug.

Original Sea Level +/- (mm)Final Sea Level +/- (mm)Difference in Sea Level +/- (mm)Class Data:

Average sea level rise.

Application:Explain how you think the information gathered during this lab could be helpful to scientist who are studying climate change science?

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Conclusions and Data Analysis:1. Which treatments increase sea level in your simulator, why do you think this

happened?

July 2016 rev 2 NSF DRL-1316782

2. Which treatment caused the greatest amount sea level rise, why do you think this is the case?

3. How could climate change factors influence the Phenomena of Sea Level Rise? Explain.

4. Explain what is pictured and how its melting would contribute to sea level rise:

5. Visit http://www.coast.noaa.gov/slr/ to answer the following questions. a. Pick 3 addresses of important places or people who live in the Tampa Bay, using

the NOAA model determine how many feet of sea level rise would cover that specific location.

1.

2.

3.

b. Based on the information above, what types of impact will sea level rise have on the Tampa Bay’s built (man-made) environment?

July 2016 rev 2 NSF DRL-1316782