The oceans cover more than 70 percent of our planet and are the dominant feature of Earth. Studying the ocean is studying the earth. In this full day course, all aspects of the Oceanography merit badge will be covered except #8 (see below). The hands-on class will begin at the Natural History Society of Maryland (9-12). The afternoon (1-4) will move to Marshy Point Nature Center where Scouts will literally get their feet wet exploring marine ecology.
Class Prerequisites:
- Read the pamphlet
- Make the plankton net and bring it with you to the class -Here is a link for a DIY video: https://www.youtube.
com/watch?v=e-MYhWcWWXw - Do #8 virtually (or scouts could visit an aquarium independently with their family). Some recommended virtual tour options:
- Virtual Tour of Aquarium of the Bay – it is an hour long and the guide takes us through as she walks through and points things out: https://www.youtube.com/
watch?v=nbORFBrMqcg - Virtual tour of Seattle Aquarium (30 minutes) – https://www.weareteachers.
com/aquarium-virtual-field- trips/
The NHSM Merit Badge Counselor is Dr. Thomas Haine is a Professor in the Department of Earth & Planetary Sciences at Johns Hopkins University. His teaching and research interests are in physical and dynamical oceanography and the ocean’s role in Earth’s climate. Particular interests are the North Atlantic and Arctic Oceans, and their rotating-stratified fluid dynamics. He is the co-author (with Barry Klinger) of a graduate level textbook in his field, entitled Ocean Circulation in Three Dimensions.
http://www.jhu.edu/~eps/facult
Refunds available in cancellations are made more than 7 days before the start of the class.
