Project TECHNOcean
Lesson/Activity Plan
Title of Lesson: EBOB Buoy Activity
Location for Lesson: Murray Middle School/CMS
Time to complete lesson: Four 40 minute class periods
General Lesson Overview with goals & objectives:
• Discuss uses and places for buoys. Plan construction of buoys and practical designs.
• Build buoy designs
• Attach floats with consideration to position in the water
• Observe and attach computers for data gathering
• Deploy and gather data, assess information from data loggers
Scientific Background Information:
• Buoys are necessary components of ocean monitoring; they may be deployed as part of a network along
particular coasts
• Buoys are used by many government and private agencies to supply current and historical data on ocean waters.
This data can include speed, height and frequency of waves, water temperature, salinity, and barometric
pressure.
Materials, Equipment and/or Kits required:
• 11 ten foot sections of 2” PVC. 40 ninety-degree angle connectors, 30 forty-five degree angle connectors, 10
four-way connectors, and 15 three-way connectors. Several 2” PVC Cutters, electrical tape, pool noodles and
other floatation devices, 8 data loggers and 1 anemometer.
Instructions/Procedure:
1. First week: describe uses and places buoys are established. Talk about data from buoys. Design and plan buoy
construction
2. Week 2: Construct buoys out of PVC pieces (1’ sections)
3. Week 3: Attach floatation and finalize buoy designs
4. Week 4: Attach data loggers and deploy buoys at CMS docks. After buoys are deployed for 2-3 day gather data
from buoys. Prepare a discussion to be had with the class regarding the data and present to class.
Tips for success / extra info:
This lesson requires lots of preparation and set up. Prepare PVC lengths ahead of time. Communicate deployment dates
early.
Reference Material:
http://secoora.org/classroom/BOB_educational_water_quality
http://secoora.org/webfm_send/517
http://www.cosee-se.org/files/southeast/eBOBGuide_11_20.pdf