The Sea Floor Spreading activity is designed to help students learn the basic functions of the spreadsheet program Excel, by comparing Sea Floor Spreading Model Predictions with Observations. In this activity students import ocean bathymetry data from either the Topex web site or text files, they then graph these observations along with model predictions to assess the model's ability to simulate the observed topographic features of the North Atlantic. The exercise takes approximately 2 hours and is appropriate for use in introductory geoscience courses in which instructors wish to train students to use Excel for data down-loads and graphing ocean topography data. This site also provides teaching notes and tips, teaching materials, assessment idea and additional resources on the use of Excel and sea floor spreading. This activity is part of the Starting Point Collection:
http://serc.carleton.edu/introgeo/
Part of the Starting Point collection. The Starting Point collection includes resources addressing the needs of faculty and graduate students designing, developing, and delivering entry-level undergraduate courses in geoscience.
