What Flows Around Comes Around
WEATHER AND CLIMATE STORYLINE THREE
While researching marine life around the newly-opened island, Leilani discovers a piece of trash. Worried that this may mean that a floating garbage patch has already accumulated near Espeth, Leilani asks the player for help understanding how currents function, and what impact this has on the planet.
NGSS Alignment
This storyline aligns with the Next Generation Science Standards at MS-ESS2-6.
Vocab Card Download
Download printable vocabulary cards that tie into this storyline!
Real World Connections
This builds upon elementary standards related to recording patterns of weather and understanding differences between weather and climate, as well as standards related to carrying out scientific investigations and collecting data.
Storyline Walkthrough Overview
The Garbage Patch
Investigate the phenomenon of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch and learn why it persisted for so long. How did it remain in the middle of the ocean for decades without ever washing ashore? Players study patterns in the currents around the Garbage Patch on Earth, then apply their findings to Ovo to see where a new Garbage Patch would be most likely to form.
Rotation and Flotation
Curious about the phenomenon of predictable current patterns in general, Leilani asks the player to do more research into the mechanisms behind the macro-patterns formed in the ocean. Could previous storyline knowledge be used to understand the interplay between hot and cold here?
