Ocean Heroes KS2 Climate, carbon, and the ocean

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.