This comprehensive lesson introduces students to the Earth’s Carbon Cycle and the concept of Blue Carbon, highlighting their critical roles in regulating our planet’s climate. Through a series of engaging activities, students will explore the movement of carbon through various Earth systems and understand the importance of coastal ecosystems in carbon sequestration. Key lesson components include: Exploring the carbon cycle and its influence on Earth’s climate Investigating the** links between the carbon cycle, greenhouse effect, and climate change** Introducing the concept of Blue Carbon and its role in carbon sequestration Mapping and analysing major blue carbon habitats using GIS tools Examining human impacts on the carbon cycle and exploring potential solutions This lesson aligns closely with the KS3 Geography curriculum, covering aspects of locational knowledge, physical geography, and the interaction between human activity and natural systems. It also provides valuable cross-curricular links with Science, particularly in ecosystem studies. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to: Explain the basic carbon cycle and its components Describe the connection between the carbon cycle, greenhouse effect, and climate change Define blue carbon and explain its importance Identify and locate major blue carbon habitats Discuss human impacts on the carbon cycle and potential mitigation strategies Curriculum links Geography KS3 Locational knowledge of environmental regions Physical geography weather and climate, hydrology Understanding how human activity relies on the effective functioning of natural systems Interpret a range of maps, globes and GIS to interpret and analyse places Cross-curricular connections Science: Ecosystems

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 lesson introduces students to the concept of ecosystem services, with a focus on the ocean environment. Students will explore the vital benefits that healthy ocean ecosystems provide to all humans, particularly coastal communities, and examine the impacts of climate change and resource exploitation on these services. Key lesson components include: Understanding the concept of ecosystem goods and services Exploring specific ecosystem services provided by ocean environments Investigating human impacts on ocean ecosystem services Examining case studies of coastal communities affected by ecosystem degradation Reflecting on the fairness and sustainability of ocean resource exploitation The lesson incorporates engaging activities such as mind mapping, cause-and-effect diagramming, and group presentations. It aligns with the KS3 Geography curriculum, covering aspects of human-environment interactions, resource management, and sustainability. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to: Explain the concept of ecosystem goods and services, with a focus on the ocean Discuss human impacts on ocean ecosystem services Describe challenges faced by coastal communities due to ecosystem degradation Reflect on the fairness and sustainability of ocean resource exploitation This thought-provoking lesson encourages students to consider the interconnectedness of human well-being and ocean health, fostering critical thinking about environmental sustainability and social justice issues. Curriculum links Geography KS3 Understand how human and physical processes interact to influence and change landscapes, environments, and the climate Economic activity Locational knowledge of environmental regions Cross-curricular connections Science: Relationships in an ecosystem, environmental changes, and effects on living things

This engaging lesson takes students on a journey through the history of ocean and climate science, policy, and activism. By creating a timeline, students will explore the interconnections between scientific discoveries, policy decisions, and public action in addressing ocean-climate issues. Key lesson components include: Exploring the historical development of our understanding of ocean-climate systems Creating a multi-track timeline of key events in science, policy, and activism Analysing connections between scientific discoveries, policy changes, and public action Identifying and discussing success stories in ocean-climate protection efforts The lesson centres around a collaborative timeline creation activity, supplemented by group presentations and class discussions. It aligns with KS3 Geography and Science curricula, covering aspects of environmental history, scientific progress, and civic engagement. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to: Identify key scientific discoveries related to ocean-climate systems Understand how these discoveries have influenced policy decisions Recognise the role of ocean-climate focused activism in driving change Appreciate success stories in ocean-climate action This thought-provoking lesson encourages students to see the big picture of ocean-climate issues, fostering an understanding of how science, policy, and public action interact to address global environmental challenges. Curriculum links Geography KS3 How human and physical processes interact to influence, and change landscapes, environments How human activity relies on the effective functioning of natural systems Analyse and draw conclusions from geographical data, using multiple sources of increasingly complex information Cross-curricular connections Science: scientific attitudes connecting research and policy PSHE: living in wider world

This engaging lesson introduces students to the complex world of ocean geography, tracing the evolution of our understanding from ancient times to modern oceanography. Students will explore various ways of classifying and mapping our oceans, considering both biophysical characteristics and human-oriented divisions. Key lesson components include: Examining historical perspectives on ocean exploration and mapping Understanding the ocean’s role in the broader Earth system Analyzing different methods of dividing and classifying the ocean Debating the implications of these divisions for ocean management and conservation The lesson incorporates a variety of activities, including class discussions, map analysis, and group work. It aligns with the KS3 Geography curriculum, covering aspects of physical geography, cartography, and human-environment interactions. By the end of this lesson, students will be able to: Describe key moments in the history of ocean exploration and oceanography Explain how the ocean connects to other Earth systems Identify and explain various methods of dividing and classifying the ocean Discuss the implications of ocean divisions on future management and conservation Curriculum links Geography KS3 Locational knowledge of environmental regions Physical geography weather and climate, hydrology Understanding how human activity relies on the effective functioning of natural systems Interpret a range of maps, globes and GIS to interpret and analyse places Cross-curricular connections Science: study of the earth and atmosphere History: study of the impacts of European exploration

This engaging nine-lesson unit for KS3 Geography introduces students to crucial aspects of ocean science and climate change, providing a comprehensive exploration of one of the 21st century’s most pressing issues. Covering 70% of Earth’s surface and absorbing over 90% of excess heat from global warming, the ocean plays a vital role in our planet’s systems and human livelihoods. Lesson Progression: Lesson 1 Mapping the Ocean Introduces ocean classification and mapping, emphasising interconnectedness. Lesson 2 Climate Change - Past to Present Explores climate science fundamentals and research methods. Lesson 3 The Carbon Cycle Examines the Earth’s carbon cycle and blue carbon concept. Lesson 4 Climate Impacts Investigates effects on vulnerable ecosystems like the Arctic and coral reefs. Lesson 5 How We Use the Ocean Explores ecosystem services and human impacts. Lesson 6 Ocean Resources - Human Impact Case Studies Focuses on the continental shelf and resource management. Lesson 7 Nature-based Climate Solutions Compares carbon sequestration in various ecosystems. Lesson 8 Climate Action, Policy & Science Traces the history of ocean-climate understanding and action. Lesson 9 Ocean and Climate Unit Assessment Summative assessment of key concepts and applications. Throughout the unit, students develop skills in: Analysing maps and data Understanding complex Earth systems Evaluating human-environment interactions Critical thinking about sustainability and conservation The lessons align with KS3 Geography curriculum requirements, covering locational knowledge, physical and human geography, and geographical skills. Cross-curricular connections with Science, Maths, and PSHE enrich the learning experience. By the end of the unit, students will have a comprehensive understanding of ocean-climate systems, their importance, and the challenges they face. They’ll be equipped to think critically about environmental issues and consider potential solutions, fostering a sense of global citizenship and environmental stewardship.

This comprehensive lesson grounds students in the fundamentals of climate science, exploring the processes that shape our planet’s climate and the methods scientists use to study climate change. Students will engage in a range of activities that bring climate science to life, developing their understanding of both natural and human-induced climate drivers. Key lesson components include: Exploring the fundamental factors that influence Earth’s climate systems Investigating natural climate drivers and distinguishing them from human influences Learning about proxy evidence and how scientists reconstruct past climates Visualising the greenhouse effect through interactive activities Analysing real climate data to develop critical thinking and data interpretation skills This lesson aligns closely with the KS3 Geography curriculum, covering aspects of locational knowledge, physical geography, and climate processes. It also provides valuable cross-curricular links with Science, particularly in the areas of Earth science and energy. By the end of the lesson, students will be able to: Explain the basic factors influencing Earth’s climate Describe the concept of climate change and its various drivers Outline methods scientists use to study past climates Demonstrate improved skills in analyzing and interpreting climate data Curriculum links Geography KS3 Locational knowledge of environmental regions Physical geography weather and climate, hydrology Cross-curricular connections Science: Earth and atmosphere; energy

Ocean Plastics Geography is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) resource developed in partnership between the Geographical Association and Encounter Edu. The lessons address the issue of marine plastic pollution, the harm caused by plastics to the environment and communities, how we deal with all the waste, ending with a debate on approaches to reducing ocean plastic pollution. Fieldwork templates for investigating plastics in the local area are included as well as a wealth of case studies exploring both the human and physical elements of plastic pollution. https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/ocean-plastics If you liked this resource, please rate and review below. This will help to promote oceans education in schools worldwide.