The scientists provide an insight into field sampling techniques. Join a microplastics research team as they explain how to identify a research survey site and how to ensure that any samples collected can be used as valid data. This full lesson includes: Student Sheet Video 2 Student Sheet Video reflection This video lesson can be used as part of Lesson 4 of the Plankton, Plastics & Poo unit. There are also opportunities to use a flipped approach to learning, setting the video lesson as pre-work before the topic is taught or as home learning to provide reinforcement of factual knowledge or to encourage further reflection. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.

Students work scientifically by writing a method to test a hypothesis and then practise this in an exam setting. The context of the lesson is Dr Ceri Lewis’ work into the impact of ocean acidification on copepods; a type of zooplankton with calcium carbonate shells. The lesson builds on students’ prior knowledge of the environmental impact of anthropogenic CO2 production. This full lesson contains: Slideshow 2 How does ocean acidification affect organisms? Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance Activity Overview 2 Investigating how ocean acidification affects organisms with shells Student Sheet 2a Investigating how ocean acidification affects organisms with shells Subject Update 1 Ocean acidification Six enquiry-based lessons introducing ocean science concepts for ages 11-14. These lessons and activities are full of practical ideas to bring carbonate chemistry and marine biology to the science classroom. All lessons demonstrate science at work and are based on recent research conducted in the Arctic. Designed to be used in conjunction with the Encounter Edu Discovery Zone. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.

Students work scientifically by developing and using a model (a food web) to formulate hypotheses. The context of the lesson is Dr Ceri Lewis’ investigating how ocean acidification might affect the plankton at low trophic levels and the cascade effects at higher levels. The lesson builds on students’ prior knowledge of interdependence. This full lesson contains: Slideshow 3: How does ocean acidification affect communities? Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance Student Sheet 3a: Arctic food webs Student Sheet 3b: Arctic organisms Subject Update 1: Ocean acidification Subject Update 3: Trophic cascades Six enquiry-based lessons introducing ocean science concepts for ages 11-14. These lessons and activities are full of practical ideas to bring carbonate chemistry and marine biology to the science classroom. All lessons demonstrate science at work and are based on recent research conducted in the Arctic. Designed to be used in conjunction with the Encounter Edu Discovery Zone. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.

Our oceans and us KS3 is a resource for year 7, year 8, and year 9 students. This lesson introduces students to the concept of ecosystem goods and services and allows them to discuss and share their knowledge. Students write a letter to the Secretary of State for the Environment outlining their thoughts on the ocean’s significance and their concerns about its health. Students also describe how damaging the marine ecosystem could be detrimental for all of us. This is one of three lessons. The lessons introduce students to the breadth and depth of the ocean and the wonder of the creatures that inhabit it. The unit goes on to explore some of the many ways we depend on the ocean and asks students to write to the Secretary of State for the Environment expressing their concerns about ocean health. The unit then reviews what is meant by ocean plastics pollution and encourages students to critically appraise information from different media sources. Students then go on investigate possible career opportunities within this field. At the end of these three lessons students will be fully prepared to embark on the full Key Stage 3 unit - Ocean Plastics 11-14. Get the other lessons in this unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-11-14

Our wonderful ocean KS3 is a resource for year 7, year 8, and year 9 students. This lesson introduces students to the marine habitat and encourages a discussion around what they already know about the ocean. Students use globes and maps to locate the different ocean basins. They then learn the names and key features of iconic marine species. Students then use information sheets to discover how humans use the ocean, presenting their findings in a fact-sheet. This is one of three lessons. The lessons introduce students to the breadth and depth of the ocean and the wonder of the creatures that inhabit it. The unit goes on to explore some of the many ways we depend on the ocean and asks students to write to the Secretary of State for the Environment expressing their concerns about ocean health. The unit then reviews what is meant by ocean plastics pollution and encourages students to critically appraise information from different media sources. Students then go on investigate possible career opportunities within this field. At the end of these three lessons students will be fully prepared to embark on the full Key Stage 3 unit - Ocean Plastics 11-14. Get the other lessons in this unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-11-14

Our ocean in crisis KS3 is a resource for year 7, year 8, and year 9 students. This lesson challenges students to think about the potential myths we have been led to believe through selective media representation, by completing a true, false or uncertain activity. Students are then asked to think about the different motivations media outlets or organisations might have. Students conduct research about an ‘Ocean hero’ and create a poster outlining the impact of their work. The lesson is concluded by discussing the changes we can implement in our lives which will make a difference to the levels of marine plastics pollution. This is one of three lessons. The lessons introduce students to the breadth and depth of the ocean and the wonder of the creatures that inhabit it. The unit goes on to explore some of the many ways we depend on the ocean and asks students to write to the Secretary of State for the Environment expressing their concerns about ocean health. The unit then reviews what is meant by ocean plastics pollution and encourages students to critically appraise information from different media sources. Students then go on investigate possible career opportunities within this field. At the end of these three lessons students will be fully prepared to embark on the full Key Stage 3 unit - Ocean Plastics 11-14. Get the other lessons in this unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-11-14

In this lesson students investigate the insulating properties of materials and consider how the adaptations of Arctic organisms help develop these. The context of the lesson is helping to develop new clothing for Tyler Fish, one of the Catlin Arctic Survey explorers. This full lesson contains: Slideshow 4: How do humans and animals keep warm in the arctic? Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance Activity Overview 4: Investigating insulating materials Student Sheet 4a: Investigating insulating materials Student Sheet 4b: Scientific poster template Student Sheet 4c: Scientific poster template (advanced) Student Sheet 4d: Blubber gloves It forms Lesson 4 of 5 from the Frozen Oceans 7-11 unit of work. Take your class to the North Pole with this cross-curricular investigation of the Arctic Ocean. The lessons progress to cover varied topics and skills needed for a science research expedition in the polar regions. Themes include Arctic food webs, training like an explorer, expedition food, insulation and clothing, the impacts of melting ice and conducting a press conference. The lessons can also be combined into a Polar Challenge Day. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.

This lesson supports students to develop the ‘writing scientific conclusions’ component of working scientifically for GCSE. It is based on current research being conducted by Exeter University and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. In this lesson, students return to their experiments and observe the gut contents of the brine shrimp, applying model conclusions to what they can see. Students develop their ability to write scientific conclusions using the secondary data from the research team. The lesson ends with students considering the implications of microplastics being consumed by zooplankton on a wide scale. This full lesson includes: Lesson Overview & Teacher Guidance Slideshow 6 Do Zooplankton eat microplastics? (Conclusions) Student Sheet 5a Do zooplankton eat microplastics? (Practical) Student Sheet 6a Model conclusions Student Sheet 6b Do zooplankton eat microplastics? (conclusions) Activity Overview/Technician Notes 5 Do zooplankton eat microplastics Answer Sheet for Student Sheet 6b This is Lesson 6 of 7 in the Plankton, Plastics and Poo unit of work, which is based on current research being conducted at the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The unit consists of enquiry-based lessons which support students to work scientifically by simulating the researchers’ investigations, and encourages students to the use their findings to have a wider impact. The resource uses innovative methods to bring cutting edge science to the classroom, including: - Using real field and laboratory data. - Practical investigations that replicate the work of the scientists. - Using social media to connect with the scientists. - The opportunity to connect with scientists through Skype in the classroom events. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.

An in-depth introduction to the themes of extreme environments and how science is conducted in remote regions, for schools internationally. The booklet includes lesson plans and activities about current research on snow and ice extent, ocean currents, ocean acidification and marine biology. Designed to be used in conjunction with the Encounter Edu Discovery Zone. The enquiry-based resources incorporate the scientists’ experiences and research, and include booklets with structured lesson plans, activity and experiment sheets, an interactive Media Player with videos and images from the expeditions, along with posters and other related resources.

The science team explain how laboratory work can complement field sampling. Learn how these experiments allow for controlling variables (ie experimental constants) and how the scientists design their experiments using the idea of a fair test. This full lesson includes: Student Sheet Video 3 Student Sheet Video reflection This video lesson can be used as part of Lesson 5 of the Plankton, Plastics & Poo unit. There are also opportunities to use a flipped approach to learning, setting the video lesson as pre-work before the topic is taught or as home learning to provide reinforcement of factual knowledge or to encourage further reflection. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.

Ocean Plastics Science is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) resource combining both biology and chemistry. Students are taken on the journey of plastic. Exploring how plastics are manufactured, used, and disposed into the ocean. Students will learn the science behind what makes plastics both brilliant for everyday purposes and devastating to our oceans and marine life. Included in this topic are teacher resources that promote students to conduct authentic research, emulating research conducted by The University of Plymouth. Students will test the properties of plastics, investigate compostable alternatives, and analyse case studies to discover how plastics can physically and chemically harm marine life. https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/ocean-plastics-science-11-14 If you liked this resource, please rate and review below. This will help to promote oceans education in schools worldwide.

In this biology Key Stage 3 (KS3) lesson, students will learn about plastics and bioaccumulation. This lesson is focused on how chemical pollutants cause harm to marine organisms. Included are teacher resources to model bioaccumulation and an orca case study. This is a single lesson in the Ocean Plastic Science Unit. Ocean Plastics Science is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) resource combining both biology and chemistry. Students are taken on the journey of plastic. Exploring how plastics are manufactured, used, and disposed into the ocean. Students will learn the science behind what makes plastics both brilliant for everyday purposes and devastating to our oceans and marine life. Included in this topic are teacher resources that promote students to conduct authentic research, emulating research conducted by The University of Plymouth. Students will test the properties of plastics, investigate compostable alternatives, and analyse case studies to discover how plastics can physically and chemically harm marine life. If you liked this resource, please rate and review below. This will help to promote oceans education in schools worldwide.

This lesson helps students identify the different habitat zones on the coral reef and describe the differences in the environmental conditions. During their second dive students develop their identification skills through surveying the reef and identifying different coral types. Students draw conclusions about the reasons for the variety and abundance of coral species across the reef. This is a single lesson from the Coral Oceans Science KS3 unit. The lesson plans and accompanying activities are designed to introduce classes to what it is like to be an ocean explorer. Each lesson is designed around a ‘dive’ to investigate a particular science topic. These include identification, classification, food webs and symbiosis, adaptation and human impacts on the environment. The enquiry-based resources incorporate the scientists’ experiences and research, and enable students to explore marine life on the reef and the threats facing it. Access the other lessons in this unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/coral-oceans-science-11-14

Ocean for beginners X-Curric 14-16 is a Key Stage 4 (KS4) resource.This series of three lessons sets the scene for students who are about to commence Ocean Plastics 14-16. The lessons build on prior knowledge of oceans and the species and habitats it encompasses. Students explore ecosystem goods and services and answer GCSE style questions reflecting on how we use the oceans. The unit then reviews what is meant by ocean plastics pollution and encourages students to critically appraise information from different media sources. Students then go on to consider careers in this field by evaluating the work of an ‘Ocean hero’. At the end of these three lessons students will be fully prepared to embark on the full Key Stage 4 unit - Ocean Plastics 14-16. https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-x-curric-14-16

In this biology Key Stage 3 (KS3) lesson, students learn how plastics affect the marine environment. This lesson is focuses on the physical harm caused by plastics to marine organisms. Included are teacher resources that promote students to become advocates for reducing plastic waste to protect our oceans. This is a single lesson from the Ocean Plastics Science unit. Ocean Plastics Science is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) resource combining both biology and chemistry. Students are taken on the journey of plastic. Exploring how plastics are manufactured, used, and disposed into the ocean. Students will learn the science behind what makes plastics both brilliant for everyday purposes and devastating to our oceans and marine life. Included in this topic are teacher resources that promote students to conduct authentic research, emulating research conducted by The University of Plymouth. Students will test the properties of plastics, investigate compostable alternatives, and analyse case studies to discover how plastics can physically and chemically harm marine life. If you liked this resource, please rate and review below. This will help to promote oceans education in schools worldwide.

This lesson looks at how ocean biodiversity can be protected, covering a range of methods, and includes an in-depth analysis of community conservation in Arran, Scotland. The lesson looks at how seabed communities can recover after human impacts, and the importance of lesser-known seabed species in this process. Curriculum links Science KS3 Biology Biodiversity and its importance Threats to biodiversity Conservation and management strategies Adaptation Working scientifically Using evidence to support conclusions Communication and advocacy Learning outcomes Understand the methods used in protecting marine biodiversity Explain the impact of human activities on seabed ecosystems Identify adaptations of lesser-known species that help seabed restoration Advocate for the process of seabed recovery and the role of MPAs

This lesson introduces ocean acidification, the other carbon problem. The ocean absorbs about 25% of human-produced carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. This helps to mitigate climate change but is not without its negative consequences for the ocean. This is a practical lesson where students will develop their working scientifically skills and develop their literacy by writing a scientific conclusion using the ‘Point Evidence Explain’ technique from English. Curriculum links Science KS3 Working scientifically Using evidence to support conclusions Analysing data and graphs Investigation skills Biology / Chemistry Using the pH scale to describe change Explaining the impact of human production of carbon dioxide on the environment Learning outcomes Describe patterns in results Investigate how carbon emissions change ocean chemistry Describe the process of ocean acidification Write a scientific conclusion

This lesson introduces students to the idea of blue carbon habitats and their importance. Students will gain an overview of these coastal environments before analysing data to see how they play an important role in absorbing carbon and helping to tackle climate change. Curriculum links Science KS3 Biology Investigate the diversity and nature of coastal ecosystems Chemistry Apply knowledge of the carbon cycle to climate change mitigation Working scientifically Analyse and interpret data Draw conclusions from data Learning outcomes Identify and describe the main types of blue carbon habitats Understand how the ocean and blue carbon habitats help tackle climate change Analyse the ability of different habitats to absorb and store carbon Evaluate nature priorities based on data