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

This lesson brings the KS3 curriculum to life, seamlessly blending key concepts from biology, chemistry, and physics into a cohesive exploration of Earth’s systems. Through a carefully crafted series of activities, students will: Unravel climate change’s impact on our oceans, discovering how seemingly small changes can create ripple effects across entire ecosystems. Engage in a dynamic card sort activity that challenges them to categorise and connect various aspects of climate change, from causes to consequences. Get creative by designing an eye-catching diagram that visually represents the complex web of linkages in climate change. Develop critical thinking skills as they analyse how human activities contribute to climate change and how these changes affect Earth’s delicate balance. Gain a deeper appreciation for the role of oceans in regulating our climate, tying together concepts of heat transfer, atmospheric science, and marine biology. By the end of this lesson, students will not only understand the science behind climate change but also feel empowered to discuss its far-reaching impacts on habitats, ecosystems, and human societies. This comprehensive approach ensures that students grasp the interconnectedness of Earth’s systems and the urgent need for environmental stewardship. Aligned with key KS3 curriculum links, this lesson provides a perfect blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on learning. It’s an ideal way to spark curiosity, foster environmental awareness, and inspire the next generation of climate scientists and ocean advocates. Curriculum links Science KS3 Biology Relationships in an ecosystem, environmental changes, and effects on living things. Chemistry Earth and atmospheric science, including climate change and its effects on the environment. Physics Energy, heat transfer, and the role of the atmosphere and oceans in regulating climate. Learning outcomes Connect climate change to changes in the ocean List and describe climate change impacts in the ocean Categorise the different aspects of climate change and its impacts Create a diagram to show the linkages in climate change

This comprehensive lesson explores the fundamental aspects of climate change, from its causes to the methods scientists use to study Earth’s climatic history. Students will delve into the greenhouse effect, examine evidence of past climate changes, and engage in hands-on analysis of sediment cores. Students will: Unravel the greenhouse effect: explore the mechanisms behind global warming and its impact on our planet. Journey through Earth’s climate history: discover how scientists uncover information about past climates and the evidence they use. Analyse ancient climate data: engage in a practical sediment core analysis activity, comparing evidence from sediment and ice cores. Interpret proxy data: Learn how scientists use indirect indicators to reconstruct past climates and practice these techniques. By the end of this lesson, students will: Explain why global warming happens Describe how the climate has changed over time Identify the evidence scientists have for climate change Demonstrate techniques in using proxy data to measure climate change This lesson provides students with a deeper understanding of climate change processes and scientific methods, while addressing key areas of the KS3 Science curriculum. **Curriculum links ** Science KS3 Earth and atmosphere: The composition of the atmosphere The production of carbon dioxide by human activity and the impact on climate Evidence for past climate change Working scientifically: Using evidence to support conclusions Analysing data and graphs Investigation skills

This activity teaches students about the amount of carbon in the different stores, e.g. ocean, atmosphere, and fossil fuels. It is a group activity designed for between 4 and 6 students. Students will also learn about how carbon passes from one store to another.

This activity focuses on the processes in the global carbon cycle. It can be played individually or in small groups of two to four. Each player will move their counter around the board using the instructions. Players will use a dice to see how their carbon counter will move around the different stores in the carbon cycle.

Knowledge organiser covering the carbon cycle and climate change. This includes the following sections: Carbon cycle processes Where is the carbon? Climate change key words How has human activity changed where carbon is located? The greenhouse effect Climate change over time Atmospheric CO2 over time Evidence for climate change

This lesson reviews students’ knowledge about the carbon cycle within the context of the study of ecosystems for GSCE Science (Biology) and Geography, as well as the changing composition of the Earth’s atmosphere for GCSE Science (Chemistry). It covers the carbon cycle and major carbon stores and fluxes. The lesson combines a digital interactive carbon cycle diagram to reinforce knowledge of the processes in the carbon cycle, with a hands-on activity to introduce students to the size of the major carbon stores and fluxes. Exam style questions and a knowledge organiser provide a good revision focus. Learning outcomes Review basic processes in the carbon cycle Develop fuller understanding of the carbon cycle Compare the sizes of the major carbon stores Demonstrate their understanding of carbon fluxes and how changes have contributed to climate change

In this introductory lesson, we look at the scientific processes and concepts of the carbon cycle. This will enable students to grow prior knowledge of food webs, respiration, and photosynthesis, as well as the combustion of fossil fuels into a more complete model. The lesson starts with an exercise to illustrate the range of different forms of carbon and carbon compounds and where they are found. This is followed by a gamified exploration of the carbon cycle. Key vocabulary and an understanding of the carbon cycle and its link to climate change is developed through a dominos task and short answer questions. Learning outcomes Identify where carbon can be found Describe ten basic processes of the carbon cycle Demonstrate their understanding of carbon stores and movement between them Link increasing carbon in the atmosphere to climate change

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.

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.

In this chemistry Key Stage 3 (KS3) lesson, students investigate rates of decay. The lesson is focused on students designing their own investigation to see if plant-based alternatives to plastic will decay faster than oil-based plastic and thus cause less harm to the environment. Included are teacher resources allowing students to test how a conventional plastic bag decays compares to a compostable bag (using a potato as a substitute). This investigation replicates the research conducted by Dr Imogen Napper at the University of Plymouth. 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. If you liked this resource, please rate and review below. This will help to promote oceans education in schools worldwide.

In this chemistry Key Stage 3 (KS3) lesson, students investigate the different properties of plastics. In groups students design an investigation testing either thermal insulation or tensile strength. Included are teacher resources with an investigation template. 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.

In this chemistry Key Stage 3 (KS3) lesson, students will learn how monomers and polymers dictate the properties of plastics. This lesson focuses on how plastics are made. Included are teacher resources for students to make their own polymer, using PVA and borax, to observe how changing the structure of a substance changes its properties. This individual lesson is part of a larger unit called Oceans Plastics. 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.

Submarine STEM 11-14 provides middle school / lower secondary school science and design and technology teachers with an engaging resource to explore the science and engineering of submarine exploration. The 6 lessons of Submarine STEM 11-14 are based on the exploratory submersible journeys undertaken as part of the XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey. The XL Catlin Deep Ocean Survey was the first Nekton Mission and the first multidisciplinary scientific research program to measure the health and resilience of the deep ocean off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea (between Bermuda and Canada) and off Canada’s east coast. Submarine STEM challenges students to consider different aspects of submarine design. Each lesson contains a standalone practical investigation examining the scientific principles involved in safely exploring the deep ocean. The deep ocean is extremely difficult to observe and until recently marine science was conducted entirely from the surface. Students will follow in the footsteps of pioneers in deep ocean exploration, considering the different scientific concepts from forces and pressure to material choices needed for surviving in this inhospitable yet amazing environment.

Plastic, Plankton and Poo is a science Key Stage 4 unit of work, this video lesson can be used as part of Lesson 7. In this lesson the science team explain the societal importance of their work and how their research can be used by policy- makers, community organisations and wider society. This full lesson includes: Student Sheet Video 4 Student Sheet Video reflection The video can be used as a stimulus to a larger discussion about the impact of plastics on the environment and how science can help inform decisions about the future use of plastic. 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.

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.

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.

Introducing the issue of marine plastics and their impact on the ocean ecosystem, this video looks at how scientists investigate environmental issues and the potential impact of human actions. Students will also be able to relate existing knowledge of the carbon cycle, food webs and human impacts on the environment to the work of a professional research group. This full lesson includes: Student Sheet Video 1 Student Sheet Video reflection This video lesson can be used as part of Lessons 1 or 6 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.