Activity Overview
In "Undercurrents," Don's team is asked to determine the point of origin for the body of a dead woman that washes up on the Los Angeles shore. Charlie attempts to trace where the woman's body might have entered the water by using oceanic fluid dynamics and current flow equations. He analyzes the current flow equations by dropping a number of small buoys (known in fluid dynamics as "tracers") into the water and mapping how they approach the shore.
Before the Activity
Download the attached PDF and look over the Teacher page.
During the Activity
Discuss the materials from the Student Page with your class.
After the Activity
Encourage students to explore web sites and questions from the Extensions page.