Actvity Summary: Students will be able to simulate the process of collecting ocean sediment cores and assess the efficiency of different tools in different types of sediment to consider drill designs and techniques.

This lesson provides an opportunity for students to look at ocean drilling through the eyes of engineers as they test various drilling tools and types of sediment to mimic the process of taking cores from the sea floor. Before conducting this lesson, students should be familiar with types of sediment (sand, silt, carbonate, etc.) that are common on the ocean floor.

This lesson has been revised and updated based on A Bit of Engineering.