Teams of student scientists at Bethel Middle School studied the complex ocean upwelling process with an interactive lab provided by the Haywood County Schools Foundation Evergreen Packaging Math and Science grant.

Using plastic containers, water, straws, food coloring, and a hair dryer, eighth graders created mini oceans.

“During our hydrosphere unit last year, Mr. Hundley and I discovered that upwelling was a difficult concept for many of our students to visualize. Since we don’t live in an area dependent on upwellings for fishing, we wanted to bring the concept to life,” Amy Harrington, eighth grade science teacher, said. “We were thrilled to receive the Evergreen Packaging grant last year, and it will continue to impact our classes for years to come.”

In small groups, students compared ocean shore environments. In two tubs filled with room temperature water, students added cold, colored water to the end of the tubs.  The cold, colored water represented nutrient-rich water that is denser and usually stays at the bottom of the ocean.

In the experimental tub, students created offshore ‘wind’ using a straw to blow across the surface of the water. Students saw that the cold, nutrient-rich water came back up toward them as an upwelling.

Upwellings bring nutrient-rich bottom waters to the surface of the ocean. Plankton feed on the nutrients, and in turn fish feed on the plankton. The resulting environment tends to be rich in fish and other sea life.

As a finale, the entire class created a larger upwelling demonstration using a hair dryer to represent offshore winds.

“I like doing labs because it’s fun and it helps me learn to see things like upwellings,” Sydney Shumolis, a student in Harrington’s class said.

Last year, Harrington and math teacher Ron Hundley received the Haywood County Schools Foundation Evergreen Packaging Math and Science grant for lab supplies. This year’s students also gained a much deeper understanding of the upwelling process as a result.

The Haywood County Schools Foundation awarded more than $208,000 in grants to teachers, schools, and students for the 2015-16 school year. Each fall, teachers and faculty may apply for five different grants through the Foundation, including the Evergreen Packaging Math and Science grant.