Make Your Own Deep-Sea Vent

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In this activity, learners make a model of the hot water of a deep sea vent in the cold water of the ocean to learn about one of the ocean's most amazing and bizarre underwater habitats. This quick activity utilizes simple materials and can be conducted as a demonstration for large groups. Included in this activity guide is useful background information about underwater vents and research associated with life in these environments.

Quick Guide

Preparation Time:
Under 5 minutes
Learning Time:
5 to 10 minutes
Estimated Materials Cost:
1 cent - $1 per group of students
Age Range:
Ages 8 - 14
Resource Types:
Activity, Demonstration, Experiment/Lab Activity, Model
Language:
English

Materials List (per group of students)

  • One large glass container
  • One small bottle
  • Food coloring
  • A piece of string
  • Hot and cold water

Keywords

Subjects

  • Earth and Space Science
    • Earth Processes
      • Volcanoes and Plate Tectonics
    • Earth Structure
      • Oceans and Water
  • Life Sciences
    • Diversity of Life
      • Animals
    • Ecology
      • Ecosystems
      • Energy Flow and Chemical Cycles
    • Evolution
      • Mechanisms of Evolution
  • Physical Sciences
    • Heat and Thermodynamics
      • Heat and Temperature
    • Chemistry
      • Chemistry of Life
    • States of Matter
      • Liquids
  • The Nature of Science
    • The Scientific Process
      • Asking Questions
      • Conducting Investigations
      • Formulating Explanations

Informal Categories

  • Animals
  • Model Building
  • Nature and Environment

Audience

To use this activity, learners need to:

  • see
  • see color
  • touch

Learning styles supported:

  • Involves hands-on or lab activities

Other

This resource is part of:

Access Rights:

  • Free access

By:

Source Collection

  • Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Rights:

  • All rights reserved, New England Aquarium, 2011