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
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.
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.
Ocean for beginners X-Curric 11-14 is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) resource. This series of three lessons sets the scene for students who are about to commence Ocean Plastics 11-14. 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.
https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-11-14
Our ocean in crisis KS4 is a resource for year 9, year 10, and year 11 students. In this lesson students will consider some of the myths in the media relating to ocean plastics by completing a true or false activity. They then analyse different news reports considering the motivations different organisations and media outlets may have. Students conduct research about an ‘Ocean hero’ and create a detailed career plan to emulate the achievements of their chosen hero. The lesson concludes with a class discussion about the changes they can implement in their lives which could make a difference to the levels of marine plastic pollution.
This is one of three lessons in the Oceans for beginners X-Curric 14-16 unit. Ocean for beginners X-Curric 14-16 is a Key Stage 4 (KS4) resource. 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.
Get the full unit resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-x-curric-14-16
Our wonderful ocean KS4 is a resource for year 9, year 10, and year 11 students. This is a This lesson will build on prior knowledge of marine environments. Students use globes and atlases to map the locations and key physical features of the oceans. Students will learn the names and notable characteristics of iconic species from different ocean habitats. They then use the information sheets to develop their knowledge and understanding of how humans use the ocean, presenting their findings in a fact-sheet.
This is one of three lessons in the Oceans for beginners X-Curric 14-16 unit. Ocean for beginners X-Curric 14-16 is a Key Stage 4 (KS4) resource. 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.
Get the full unit resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-x-curric-14-16
Our ocean and us KS4 is a resource for year 9, year 10, and year 11 students. In this lesson students learn about the concept of ecosystem goods and services, following this they will answer GCSE style exam questions which they will peer assess, reflecting on how dependent we are on the ocean.
This is one of three lessons in the Oceans for beginners X-Curric 14-16 unit. Ocean for beginners X-Curric 14-16 is a Key Stage 4 (KS4) resource. 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.
Get the full unit resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/oceans-for-beginners-x-curric-14-16
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.
This is the second in a six lesson unit, Submarine Science KS3. This lesson encourages students to investigate hands-on the property of neutral buoyancy, and to discuss its importance in terms of submarines.This lesson is from the Submarine STEM Science 11-14 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teacher-resources/submarine-stem-science-ages-11-14
This unit is based on the real life submersible exploration of the XL Caitlin Deep Ocean Survey off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea. It provides students the opportunity to apply science, engineering, and design princples. 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 Science KS3. This lesson is based on forces through a practical investigation to discover a suitable shape that can dive and rise at a speed safe enough for the scientists inside the submarine. Students develop their understanding of forces, surface area, and fair testing. This lesson is from the Submarine STEM Science 11-14 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teacher-resources/submarine-stem-science-ages-11-14
This unit is based on the real life submersible exploration of the XL Caitlin Deep Ocean Survey off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea. It provides students the opportunity to apply science, engineering, and design principles. 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 lesson unit, Submarine Science KS3. This lesson allows students to investigate the effects of pressure increasing with depth, and the implications that this has for submarine design. Get the design wrong and the submarine will implode. This lesson is from the Submarine STEM Science 11-14 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teacher-resources/submarine-stem-science-ages-11-14
This unit is based on the real life submersible exploration of the XL Caitlin Deep Ocean Survey off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea. It provides students the opportunity to apply science, engineering, and design princples.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 Science KS3. This lesson focusses on oxidation and rusting through a practical investigation looking at how to protect the submarine from rusting. This lesson is from the Submarine STEM Science 11-14 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teacher-resources/submarine-stem-science-ages-11-14
This unit is based on the real life submersible exploration of the XL Caitlin Deep Ocean Survey off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea. It provides students the opportunity to apply science, engineering, and design princples. 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 sixth in a six lesson unit, Submarine Science KS3. This lesson investigates the life support systems needed to keep scientists and explorers alive. Students will conduct an investigation into how limewater can reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in an atmosphere. This lesson is from the Submarine STEM Science 11-14 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teacher-resources/submarine-stem-science-ages-11-14
This unit is based on the real life submersible exploration of the XL Caitlin Deep Ocean Survey off Bermuda, the Sargasso Sea. It provides students the opportunity to apply science, engineering, and design princples. 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 lesson explores the technology required to explore deep reefs and considers how water pressure poses additional challenges to scientists exploring the ‘twilight zone’ through a teacher led demonstration.
Students consider the human context of deep reef exploration through reading a blogpost written by Norbert Englebert a member of the deep reef team. Students conduct an experiment to test whether the colour of coral affects the amount of light it absorbs.
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
Students will consider the varied threats faced by the coral reef. These range from long-term environmental changes caused by increased atmospheric carbon dioxide, to changes in land use in coastal areas.
Through gathering information from a range of sources students will complete an overview of the threats faced by the reef.
Students will be prompted to consider what changes could be made to ensure that there are healthy coral reefs well into the future.
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
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 to find food and stay alive.
The reef is also host to numerous examples of symbiosis and finding food and safety in the strangest of places, whether that be in a shark’s mouth or ‘vacuuming’ the sandy seabed. In this lesson, students are challenged to create the ultimate reef organism.
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
Throughout this lesson students explore underwater habitats and begin to understand the importance of the XL Catlin Seaview Survey.
Students consider why exploration of this kind can be challenging for humans and learn dive signs so they can communicate on their virtual dive.
During the virtual dive students use 360 virtual reality to explore this dynamic environment, identifying some of the species that live there. Students go on to classify these species and record the findings of their first dive.
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 on EncounterEdu here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/coral-oceans-science-11-14
At the end of the expedition, teams create an expedition report to communicate their findings to a wider audience. This could take the form of a formal written report, a press release or a video.
These outputs can be shared at an assembly, parents evening, with the local press and you can send a selection through to Encounter Edu (info@encounteredu.com) so that we can post them on our website.
This is a single lesson fromt 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
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.
This is the first lesson in a full unit (Biodiversity Science GCSE Coral Reefs) using the coral reef as a new context for applying concepts of biodiversity, human impacts and conservation.
The ‘Why is coral reef biodiversity important?’ lesson covers the importance of coral reefs, the so called ‘rain forests of the sea’, to a local community in Timor-Leste. Students develop their understanding of mutualism, biodiversity and how it is useful and important to us and the Earth as a whole.
Multimedia content and other information can be found at: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/coral-oceans-science-14-16