Data from Aquarius will significantly improve our understanding of ocean circulation, the water cycle and climate. Also, the cutting-edge nature of Aquarius/SAC-D provides an opportunity to address technical achievement in the 21st century.

The tables below show the 23 student outcomes that are addressed by Aquarius EPO materials, aligned with National Science Education Standards (NSES; National Research Council, 1996), North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE, 2000) and Ocean Literacy (OL) standards (National Geographic Society et al, 2005). A robust evaluation plan is being implemented to test the efficacy of Aquarius EPO products with respect to these outcomes.

Use the search links or icons in the tables to filter for assets by outcome or asset type according to grade level. To search for all assets irregardless of grade level, use the following radio buttons:

Grade Level: K-4 (search)	Hands On	Online Tools	Videos
Water Cycle (Ties to Aquarius)
1. Explain that evaporation can separate the water from the salt in salt water. (NSES,127; NAAEE,16; OLS,13) (search)
2. Compare the basic properties of fresh and salt water (e.g., density, ability to dissolve salt, freezing point). (NSES,134,160; OLS,10) (search)
Ocean Circulation (Ties to Aquarius)
3. Describe the connections between the salt water found in the ocean and the fresh water in the water cycle. (NSES,160; NAAEE,12,16; OLS,10) (search)
Climate (Ties to Aquarius)
4. Compare climates considering factors such as precipitation, temperature, and distance from an ocean. (NAAEE,16; OLS,13) (search)
21st Century Technology (Ties to Aquarius)
5. Explain that satellites can be used to make measurements at a distance. (NSES,123,138; NAAEE,14) (search)
6. Design a simple experiment to answer a question they have about the ocean or saltwater. (NSES,122; NAAEE,13) (search)

Grade Level: 5-8 (search)	Hands On	Online Tools	Videos
Water Cycle (Ties to Aquarius)
1. Explain the energy conversions found in the water cycle (e.g., evaporation requires heat energy, condensation releases heat energy). (NSES,161; NAAEE,35; OLS,11) (search)
2. Explain how the processes of the water cycle (e.g., evaporation, precipitation) relate to the oceans. (NSES,160; OLS,5) (search)
3. Explain the effect of temperature on density. (NSES,180; OLS,12) (search)
Ocean Circulation (Ties to Aquarius)
4. Explain the effect of density on ocean circulation. (NSES,154; OLS,10) (search)
5. Explain the effect of solar energy heat on ocean circulation. (NSES,155,161; NAAEE,35; OLS,11) (search)
Climate (Ties to Aquarius)
6. Explain the effect of solar energy on wind and cloud formation and the effect solar energy, wind and clouds have on climate. (NSES,160,189; NAAEE,30; OLS,11) (search)
7. Explain that the ocean holds a large amount of heat and the effect this has on climate. (NSES,160; NAAEE,30; OLS,11) (search)
21st Century Technology (Ties to Aquarius)
8. Gather, analyze, and interpret environmental data about the ocean's effects on climate. (NSES,145; NAAEE,29,32) (search)

Grade Level: 9-12 (search)	Hands On	Online Tools	Videos	Articles
Water Cycle (Ties to Aquarius)
1. Explain the relationship between fresh water and ocean dynamics. (search)
2. Determine if global precipitation, evaporation, and the cycling of water are changing. (search)
Ocean Circulation (Ties to Aquarius)
3. Explain the influence of the El Niño Southern Oscillation on global weather patterns. (NAAEE,54; OLS,11) (search)
4. Explain the influence of ocean salinity on the thermohaline circulation (e.g., "global conveyor belt"). (search)
Climate (Ties to Aquarius)
5. Describe how changes in the ocean's circulation can produce large changes in climate. (NSES,189; NAAEE,54; OLS,12) (search)
6. Explain how climate variations can induce changes in the global ocean circulation. (search)
21st Century Technology (Ties to Aquarius)
7. Explain how new technology can enhance the gathering and manipulation of oceanic data. (NSES,176; NAAEE,51,52; OLS,14) (search)
8. Conduct a complex experiment to answer a question they have about the effect of ocean salinity on climate. (NSES,175; NAAEE,49) (search)
9. Explain that ocean science is interdisciplinary and requires new ways of thinking. (NSES,192; OLS,14) (search)

References

NAAEE. (2000). Excellence in Environmental Education: Guidelines for Learning (K-12). 2nd edition. Rock Spring, GA: North American Association for Environmental Education.

National Geographic Society, NOAA, and College of Exploration. (2005). Ocean Literacy: The Essential Principles of Ocean Sciences Grades K-12. 2 pp.

National Research Council. (1996). National Science Education Standards. Washington, DC: National Academy Press. 272 pp.