Ocean Features Model

Detailed relief map for exploring major ocean floor features and geological processes.

• Relief map highlights mid-ocean ridges, abyssal plains, trenches, and other key features

• 45×60 cm size ideal for classroom demonstration and group investigation
• Helps students visualize seafloor topography and tectonic activity
• Supports instruction on plate boundaries, ocean floor spreading, and geological change
• Includes a comprehensive lesson plan for guided learning
• Durable model designed for repeated hands-on classroom use
• Supports NGSS standards: 5-ESS2-1; MS-ESS2-2; MS-ESS2-3; MS-ESS3-2; HS-ESS2-1; HS-ESS2-3; HS-ESS1-5

The Ward’s Ocean Features Model provides a clear, tangible way for K–12 students to explore the structure of the ocean floor and the geological processes that shape it. This 45×60 cm relief map focuses on a representative section of the North Atlantic Ocean, making complex undersea features easier for students to visualize and understand.

The model highlights major oceanic structures including mid-ocean ridges, abyssal plains, deep-sea trenches, and other prominent landforms found on the seafloor. By examining these features in three dimensions, students gain a stronger grasp of how tectonic forces create and modify Earth’s ocean basins.

Teachers can use the model to support lessons on plate tectonics, seafloor spreading, convection currents, and the formation of geological features along divergent and convergent boundaries. Its manageable size allows flexible classroom use, whether for whole-class demonstrations, lab stations, or small group exploration.

A comprehensive lesson plan is included to streamline instruction and help teachers integrate the model into Earth science or oceanography units. The structured activities guide students through identifying features, interpreting topography, and connecting surface processes to deeper Earth systems. This model aligns well with NGSS Earth and Space Science performance expectations, supporting inquiry-based learning and deeper conceptual understanding.