Dive into an ocean adventure with this captivating Ocean Heroes KS2 unit. This comprehensive series of nine lessons takes students on an unforgettable journey from the depths of the sea to the forefront of climate action. Lesson 1 Climate, carbon, and the ocean: discover the mysteries of carbon’s journey through our world, setting the stage for understanding climate change. Lesson 2 Climate impacts: explore the profound effects of climate change on our oceans, from melting ice caps to coral bleaching. Lesson 3 Nature as hero: introduce the concept of blue carbon habitats and their crucial role in combating climate change. Lesson 4 Seagrass animal classification: dive into the vibrant seagrass meadows of Sicily, honing classification skills while exploring marine biodiversity. Lesson 5 Community conservation: visit Indonesia’s mangrove forests and tackle real-world conservation challenges through stakeholder role-play. Lesson 6 Saltmarsh food chains: explore the Solent’s saltmarshes, mapping food webs and designing eco-tourism campaigns. Lesson 7 Wonderful worms and ocean sediment: get hands-on with marine sediments and discover the vital role of worms in seabed health. Lesson 8 Sustainable fishing: investigate overfishing impacts and debate sustainable fishing practices, connecting ocean health to our plates. Lesson 9 Ocean Heroes in action: empower students to become ocean advocates through persuasive writing and personal pledges. This unit seamlessly blends elements of Science, Geography, Maths, English, and PSHE, offering a truly cross-curricular exploration of our blue planet. From hands-on experiments to creative projects, students will engage with complex environmental concepts in accessible, exciting ways. By the end of this unit, your class will have: Gained a comprehensive understanding of ocean ecosystems and their importance Developed critical thinking skills around environmental challenges Honed their abilities in scientific observation, data analysis, and persuasive communication Cultivated a deep sense of environmental stewardship and global citizenship Ocean Heroes is a full unit of work covering all aspects of the ocean and climate change across Key Stage 2. Each lesson has been written with scientists and partners as part of the Convex Seascape Survey, with the University of Exeter and Blue Marine Foundation. Together they form a learning journey through some of our most important ocean habitats and living things. These lessons cover core aspects of the science and geography programmes of study as well as developing numeracy and literacy skills. The unit works works as a progressive learning journey, although individual lessons will still work as standalone teaching opportunities. The unit has a special focus on blue carbon, the coastal and seabed habitats that offer hope in tackling climate change.

A fun, hands-on lesson that introduces classes to sediment, the ocean equivalent of soil. This practical lesson shows how important worms are for the health of the seabed. During this lesson, students will: Become seabed scientists: Guide your young researchers as they uncover the secrets of marine sediment - the ocean’s equivalent of soil. They’ll learn why it’s crucial for ocean life. Meet the unsung heroes of the sea: Introduce your class to the fascinating world of marine worms. Through fun, hands-on activities, students will discover how these humble creatures are the hardworking gardeners of the seabed. Get their hands dirty (in the best way): Engage in a messy but memorable practical activity that demonstrates how worms transform the seabed. Investigate human impacts: Challenge your class to think critically about how human activities affect the seabed. They’ll develop environmental awareness and problem-solving skills as they consider ways to protect these crucial habitats. This lesson brilliantly extends the KS2 Science curriculum, introducing marine sediments as a natural progression from the study of rocks and soils. It also touches on key Geography concepts. By the end of this lesson, your students will: Confidently describe the features and location of shallow sea habitats Demonstrate understanding of how ocean sediment forms and its importance Explain the crucial role of worms in creating a healthy seabed ecosystem Show improved critical thinking skills when considering human impacts on marine environments See the full Ocean Heroes unit on TES. Curriculum links Geography KS2 • Globally significant marine and terrestrial places Science KS2 • Marine sediments have yet to feature directly in the National Curriculum, and this lesson can be used as an extension to the study of rocks and soils • This lesson also introduces the relationship between soils and sediments and the animal life that can make them more suited to other life • Recognise that environments can change and that this can sometimes pose dangers to living things

Visit the saltmarshes of the Solent in this multifaceted lesson that brings ecology, tourism, and conservation together in your KS2 classroom. Get ready to transform your students into eco-explorers and budding tour guides as they: Discover a hidden coastal wonder: Take a virtual field trip to the mysterious saltmarshes of the Solent. Become food web detectives: Guide your young scientists as they unravel the intricate connections between saltmarsh inhabitants. They’ll piece together food chains and webs. Explore nature’s superpowers: students learn how saltmarshes act as nature’s own superheroes - protecting coastlines, purifying water, and fighting climate change as a blue carbon habitat. Design eco-tourism campaigns: Encourage creativity as students craft eye-catching posters to promote saltmarshes as must-visit destinations. They’ll learn to balance environmental protection with responsible tourism, thinking critically about sustainable development. This lesson brilliantly intertwines elements of the KS2 Geography and Science curricula, offering a perfect blend of ecological understanding and real-world application. It’s designed to nurture scientific thinking while fostering a sense of environmental stewardship and economic awareness. By the end of this saltmarsh safari, your students will: Explain the importance of saltmarshes for both nature and local communities Demonstrate improved skills in describing and mapping food chains using scientific terminology Show enhanced creativity in promoting eco-tourism while considering conservation needs See the full Ocean Heroes KS2 unit on TES. Curriculum links Geography KS2 • Globally significant marine and terrestrial places • Physical geography: climate zones, biomes and vegetation belts Science KS2 • construct and interpret a variety of food chains, identifying producers, predators and prey

Fully-resourced lesson developing classification skills using the amazing life in seagrass meadows. This lesson takes your class on an underwater adventure to the seagrass meadows off Sicily and brings marine biology to life in the KS2 classroom. Students will take the role of junior marine biologists: Dive into a hidden world: Take a virtual plunge into the seagrass meadows surrounding Sicily, and discover this lesser-known but incredibly important underwater habitat teeming with life. Become sea creature detectives: Equip your young explorers with the tools to identify and classify the diverse array of creatures calling seagrass meadows home. From fish to crustaceans to reptiles, students will sharpen their observation skills and learn to spot key characteristics. Master the art of classification: Guide your class through the exciting process of grouping sea creatures based on observable features. Start to use classification keys: Introduce the concept of classification keys in a fun, hands-on way. Students will feel like real scientists as they use these tools to identify and categorize the unique inhabitants of seagrass meadows. Uncover nature’s secrets: As they explore this underwater world, students will also learn about the crucial role seagrass plays in our oceans and climate, connecting this lesson to broader environmental themes. This lesson brilliantly aligns with the KS2 Science curriculum, focusing on classification skills and the use of keys. It offers a perfect blend of scientific inquiry and environmental awareness, encouraging students to think critically about biodiversity and ecosystems. By the end of this underwater expedition, your students will: Confidently identify key features of seagrass habitats and their inhabitants Demonstrate improved skills in grouping organisms based on observable characteristics Show proficiency in using classification keys to identify marine life See the full Ocean Heroes KS2 unit on TES. Curriculum links Science KS2 • Group organisms based on characteristics • Use classification keys

This lesson is an exciting scientific adventure on the carbon cycle Perfect for KS2 students, this lesson will transform your classroom into a living laboratory where young minds will unravel the mysteries of one of Earth’s most crucial processes. Dive into the world of carbon with your class as they: Discover the building blocks of life: Students will be amazed to learn that carbon is all around us, from the air we breathe to the food we eat. Become carbon cycle detectives: Through engaging activities and visual aids, students will piece together the puzzle of how carbon moves through our world. They’ll trace carbon’s journey from plants to animals, from the atmosphere to the oceans, and back again. Play the ‘Carbon Cycle Game’: Students become carbon atoms, moving between different parts of the ecosystem in this fun, interactive activity that brings the carbon cycle to life. Connect the dots to climate change: Guide your students as they make the crucial link between human activities, the carbon cycle, and our changing climate. Blend science and geography: This lesson intertwines concepts from both subjects, showing how carbon’s journey affects both land and sea, and how environments change over time. This lesson acts as a springboard, building on students’ existing knowledge of food chains and animal needs, while preparing them for more advanced concepts in environmental science. It’s designed to spark curiosity, encourage critical thinking, and foster a deep appreciation for the interconnectedness of our world. By the end of this lesson, your students will: Confidently explain what carbon is and where it can be found Understand and articulate the stages of the carbon cycle Make connections between human activities and changes in the carbon cycle See the full Ocean Heroes KS2 unit on TES. Curriculum links Science KS2 Brings together learning on: transport of oxygen in humans and other animals; what plants and animals need to survive; how living things are, connected in feeding relationships; combustion through heating of materials. Geography KS2 How environments can change over time; focus on both terrestrial and marine systems and places.

This group activity is designed to deepen students’ understanding of the carbon cycle. It is aimed at upper primary classes, as it represents a simplified model of how carbon moves. Students will develop their understanding of how carbon moves between the atmosphere, plants, and animals, as well as how the burning of fossil fuels over the past 250 years has caused an imbalance in the carbon cycle.

This introductory lesson looks at the scientific processes and concepts of the carbon cycle. This will enable students to grow prior knowledge of food chains and feeding relationships to understanding the drivers of environmental change. The lesson starts with an introduction to what carbon is, followed by a scaffolded understanding of the carbon cycle, reinforced by a fun activity. The lesson will close by analysing how an imbalance in the carbon cycle is leading to increased carbon in the atmosphere, which is driving the climate crisis. An interactive carbon cycle diagram complements the lesson. Learning outcomes List where carbon can be found Describe four basic processes of the carbon cycle Demonstrate their understanding of carbon stores and movement between them Link increasing carbon levels in the atmosphere with climate change

This final lesson brings together all the previous learning as the classroom expedition returns to port, and the team delivers a press conference. The output from this lesson can be a written article, a blog post, audio report, press release, or video. These outputs can be shared at an assembly, parents’ evening, with the local press, or you can send a selection through to Encounter Edu (info@encounteredu.com) so that we can post them on our website.

This lesson introduces students to the wonders of the coral reef and the adventures of the XL Catlin Seaview Survey. In this first lesson, students will embark on their journey to become coral explorers, finding out where coral reefs can be found, and learning from the experiences of scientists and the expedition team. They will then take part in their first virtual dive. This lesson provides the platform for further scientific discovery through the rest of the unit.

This is the sixth in a six lesson unit, Submarine STEM KS2. We reccomend that you take students on the journey of levers using both lesson five and six. Lesson six sees students develop their understanding of levers and pulleys and relates this to how cranes launch and recover submersibles. Students will continue to develop their crane, this time adding a lever or pulley system which will raise and lower their submarine model. This lesson is from the Submarine STEM 7-11 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teacher-resources/submarine-stem-science-ages-7-11 The unit enables students to explore materials, forces, and living things while working scientifically. The unit is based on real life submersible exploration of the XL Caitlin Deep Ocean Survey off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea. To experience the full impact of this scheme of work it can be taught in advance of our annual Submarine Live event. Live lessons can be booked for free here: https://encounteredu.com/live

This is the fifth in a six lesson unit, Submarine STEM KS2. We reccomend that you take students on the journey of levers using both lesson five and six. Lesson five develops students understanding of strong structures and investigates how cranes work. Students work together to design and construct a crane using a variety of materials. They will also construct a model submersible to launch and recover once their crane is complete. This lesson is from the Submarine STEM 7-11 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teacher-resources/submarine-stem-science-ages-7-11. The unit enables students to explore materials, forces, and living things while working scientifically. The unit is based on real life submersible exploration of the XL Caitlin Deep Ocean Survey off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea. To experience the full impact of this scheme of work it can be taught in advance of our annual Submarine Live event. Live lessons can be booked for free here: https://encounteredu.com/live

This is the fourth in a six lessons unit, Submarine STEM KS2. This lesson discusses the properties of materials and their use in submersible design. Students will compare a variety of materials for their submersible and justify their choices. An investigation into how salt water affects materials allows pupils to make predictions, write conclusions and conduct a fair test. This lesson is from the Submarine STEM 7-11 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teacher-resources/submarine-stem-science-ages-7-11. The unit enables students to explore materials, forces, and living things while working scientifically. The unit is based on real life submersible exploration of the XL Caitlin Deep Ocean Survey off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea. To experience the full impact of this scheme of work it can be taught in advance of our annual Submarine Live event. Live lessons can be booked for free here: https://encounteredu.com/live

This is the third in a six lesson unit, Submarine STEM KS2. Through a practical investigation students discover how shape and surface area affect the speed at which a submersible descends. Students develop their understanding of forces, surface area, and fair testing. This lesson is from the Submarine STEM 7-11 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teacher-resources/submarine-stem-science-ages-7-11. The unit enables students to explore materials, forces, and living things while working scientifically. The unit is based on real life submersible exploration of the XL Caitlin Deep Ocean Survey off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea. To experience the full impact of this scheme of work it can be taught in advance of our annual Submarine Live event. Live lessons can be booked for free here: https://encounteredu.com/live

This is the second in a six lesson unit, Submarine STEM KS2. This lesson explores the depth of the ocean through creating a scale diagram of the different ocean zones and identifying significant points within these zones. This lesson is from the Submarine STEM 7-11 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teacher-resources/submarine-stem-science-ages-7-11. The unit enables students to explore materials, forces, and living things while working scientifically. The unit is based on real life submersible exploration of the XL Caitlin Deep Ocean Survey off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea. To experience the full impact of this scheme of work it can be taught in advance of our annual Submarine Live event. Live lessons can be booked for free here: https://encounteredu.com/live

This is the first in a six lesson unit, Submarine STEM KS2. This lesson explores the importance of the ocean and introduces students to some of the strange creatures which inhabit the deep sea. This lesson is from the Submarine STEM 7-11 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teacher-resources/submarine-stem-science-ages-7-11. The unit enables students to explore materials, forces, and living things while working scientifically. The unit is based on real life submersible exploration of the XL Caitlin Deep Ocean Survey off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea. To experience the full impact of this scheme of work it can be taught in advance of our annual Submarine Live event. Live lessons can be booked for free here: https://encounteredu.com/live

Students will consider the various impacts humans have had on the coral reef ecosystem, both positive and negative. These impacts range from long-term environmental changes caused by increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, to changes in land use in coastal areas and the impact of fertilisers on the ecosystem balance. This is a single lesson from the unit Coral Oceans 7-11. This science-based unit uses the stunning imagery and 360 media from the XL Catlin Seaview Survey and covers several of the main concepts for students studying living things at upper elementary level. The unit can be used as a standalone primer for students, using a new and exciting context of corals, clownfish and sharks, or as a comparative study to the local environment. Students work through a series of connected lessons to develop their understanding of: habitats and how they provide the basic needs of plants and animals identification, classification and the use of keys life cycles, anatomy and sexual reproduction how animals obtain their food using the idea of food chains how animals and plants are adapted to their environment human impact on the environment Access the full unit’s resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/coral-oceans-science-7-11

Different species have adapted to life on the coral reef in amazing and diverse ways. From sleeping in mucus bubbles, to flexible snakelike skeletons, life on the reef has had to find ingenious methods for finding food and staying alive. The reef is also host to numerous examples of symbiosis, and creatures finding food and safety in the strangest of places – whether in a shark’s mouth or by ‘vacuuming’ the sandy seabed. In this lesson, students are challenged to create the ultimate reef animal. This is a single lesson from the unit Coral Oceans 7-11. This science-based unit uses the stunning imagery and 360 media from the XL Catlin Seaview Survey and covers several of the main concepts for students studying living things at upper elementary level. The unit can be used as a standalone primer for students, using a new and exciting context of corals, clownfish and sharks, or as a comparative study to the local environment. Students work through a series of connected lessons to develop their understanding of: habitats and how they provide the basic needs of plants and animals identification, classification and the use of keys life cycles, anatomy and sexual reproduction how animals obtain their food using the idea of food chains how animals and plants are adapted to their environment human impact on the environment Access the full unit’s resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/coral-oceans-science-7-11

This lesson combines science and creativity to help young people learn more about life on the coral reef and the food chains that link them together. The output for this activity is to create a mobile to hang at home or in the classroom, showing some of the main types of life that can be found on the coral reef, and how they are related through predator-prey relationships. This is a single lesson from the unit Coral Oceans 7-11. This science-based unit uses the stunning imagery and 360 media from the XL Catlin Seaview Survey and covers several of the main concepts for students studying living things at upper elementary level. The unit can be used as a standalone primer for students, using a new and exciting context of corals, clownfish and sharks, or as a comparative study to the local environment. Students work through a series of connected lessons to develop their understanding of: habitats and how they provide the basic needs of plants and animals identification, classification and the use of keys life cycles, anatomy and sexual reproduction how animals obtain their food using the idea of food chains how animals and plants are adapted to their environment human impact on the environment Access the full unit’s resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/coral-oceans-science-7-11

This lesson introduces students to the range of life on the reef. Starting off by learning to name and identify different species, students will then sort these into different groups and start to use classification keys. This is a single lesson from the unit Coral Oceans 7-11. This science-based unit uses the stunning imagery and 360 media from the XL Catlin Seaview Survey and covers several of the main concepts for students studying living things at upper elementary level. The unit can be used as a standalone primer for students, using a new and exciting context of corals, clownfish and sharks, or as a comparative study to the local environment. Students work through a series of connected lessons to develop their understanding of: habitats and how they provide the basic needs of plants and animals identification, classification and the use of keys life cycles, anatomy and sexual reproduction how animals obtain their food using the idea of food chains how animals and plants are adapted to their environment human impact on the environment Access the full unit’s resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/coral-oceans-science-7-11

The Great Barrier Reef stretches for over 2,300 kilometres along the eastern coast of Australia, but the creatures that have created this habitat can measure just a few millimetres across. This lesson covers the basic anatomy of the coral polyp, their life cycle and reproductive processes, and finishes with a game that shows how tropical coral polyps get their energy boost to create such amazing structures. This is a single lesson from the unit Coral Oceans 7-11. This science-based unit uses the stunning imagery and 360 media from the XL Catlin Seaview Survey and covers several of the main concepts for students studying living things at upper elementary level. The unit can be used as a standalone primer for students, using a new and exciting context of corals, clownfish and sharks, or as a comparative study to the local environment. Students work through a series of connected lessons to develop their understanding of: habitats and how they provide the basic needs of plants and animals identification, classification and the use of keys life cycles, anatomy and sexual reproduction how animals obtain their food using the idea of food chains how animals and plants are adapted to their environment human impact on the environment Access the full unit’s resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/coral-oceans-science-7-11