What is "real-time" data?

"Real-time" is when the occurrence of an event and the reporting or recording of it are almost simultaneous. Therefore, real-time data are the most current information available, being collected and posted as you read this.

How can I use scientific data in my classroom?

Certain sites are especially good at giving you a feel for the real-world application of data. Investigate currents by tracking your own drifting buoy, and learn how this type of information is used to predict the paths of oil spills or icebergs. Examine seasonal changes in water quality illustrating the effects of changing river flow on water chemistry and biology in the San Francisco Bay. These are just a couple of the possibilities.

Other sites linked to this page will simply provide data on many parameters (salinity, air and water temperatures, dissolved oxygen, current speed, wave height, water level, etc.) which may make your classroom discussion of these topics more exciting. Plot daily readings from a station in the Chesapeake Bay over the course of several weeks, and see what observations you can make. Or compare sea surface temperatures at different locations around Australia......the world is your oyster!

I've tried to use data from the web before, but I was overwhelmed.

There are many data sets available on the web, some of them are easier to use than others. We've tried to select sources that present the data in a user-friendly format. Please don't be intimidated by the appearance of some of the data sets.......even if they look overwhelming, with a little effort you can extract a week's worth, a month's worth, or whatever amount is usable for you.

How else can I make data interesting to my students?

To give your students more examples of the real-world application of data, search a news index on the Web (you can find some at All-In-One) for current events in ocean sciences, then explore our links for the supporting data. Check our Data Tip of the Month regularly for new examples. For previous data tips, go to our Data Tip of the Month Archive.