Discovering DIY oceanography: building floats to track deep ocean currents

Below the surface of the ocean, currents, eddies, and other physical processes redistribute energy and biologically important elements. Measuring this transport can be challenging, and scientists must address a wide spectrum of oceanographic and engineering concepts when designing instruments to observe these processes. In this activity, high-school aged students are asked to consider some of these challenges by using easily-available material to design, assemble, and test their own simple deep-water floats, mimicking a tool used by oceanographers to measure transport below the ocean's surface. Students are asked to build floats that are neutrally buoyant at an interface between oil and water, teaching them key oceanographic concepts such as buoyancy and ocean stratification. Additionally, students manage a budget by selecting cost-effective materials to construct their floats. This activity aims to increase students' understanding of how ocean currents affect our planet's climate and ecosystems, how we observe these phenomena, and some of the practical challenges that oceanographers face. The project supports key educational standards and aims to deepen students' appreciation for marine science.