Storylines start with an anchoring phenomenon that raises questions or introduces a problem. Each step in a storyline unit is then driven by students’ questions arising from the phenomenon.

In this case, the anchoring phenomenon is an image of siphonophore sent over a long distance from an underwater uncrewed vehicle (UUV) in the deep ocean to a lab on the surface and the binary code representation of the image. The first day of the unit allows students to consider what they do and don't know about the deep ocean, sending information over long distances, and designing solutions. Students also identify what they want to find out. This gives them a reason to investigate the science ideas that explain how information can be transmitted over long distances without significant degradation. In doing so, they will make sense of Disciplinary Core Ideas related to digitizing information and developing solutions. The playlist also includes career profiles of Northrop Grumman engineers who explore similar phenomena and design solutions to problems in their work.