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.
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
Climate and Energy is an exciting unit which invites students to explore the connection between the global climate and energy use both locally and internationally, with a focus on renewable energy.
Co-created with academics, industry experts and educators, the lessons promote knowledge of the global climate, before focusing in on Northwestern Europe. Once a solid understanding of these topics has been reached, students move on to understand how this climate can be exploited to produce renewable energy, while promoting critical thinking about the topic and encouraging students to create their own opinions based on the real-world data.
The unit provides a robust understanding of the latest findings promoting climate literacy, while being curriculum-aligned to GCSE exam body specifications, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to tackle challenges of the future. The unit and its associated activities and multimedia can also be accessed on the Encounter Edu website.
This is the first lesson in the eight lesson Global Climate and Renewable Energy unit for KS4 and GCSE. This lesson is an introduction to air pressure and weather systems and the impact they have on global weather. In this lesson students will learn about jet streams and the global atmospheric circulation model and how they affect the weather around the world. Students will be able to explain the global circulation atmospheric model through the use of either a drawing, a model or a physical display.
The Global Climate and Renewable Energy unit provides a robust understanding of the latest findings promoting climate literacy, while being curriculum-aligned to GCSE exam body specifications, equipping students with the knowledge and skills to tackle challenges of the future. The unit and its associated activities and multimedia can also be accessed on the Encounter Edu website.
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 lesson supports students to develop the ‘writing scientific conclusions’ component of working scientifically for GCSE. It is based on current research being conducted by Exeter University and Plymouth Marine Laboratory.
In this lesson, students return to their experiments and observe the gut contents of the brine shrimp, applying model conclusions to what they can see.
Students develop their ability to write scientific conclusions using the secondary data from the research team. The lesson ends with students considering the implications of microplastics being consumed by zooplankton on a wide scale.
This full lesson includes:
Lesson Overview & Teacher Guidance
Slideshow 6 Do Zooplankton eat microplastics? (Conclusions)
Student Sheet 5a Do zooplankton eat microplastics? (Practical)
Student Sheet 6a Model conclusions
Student Sheet 6b Do zooplankton eat microplastics? (conclusions)
Activity Overview/Technician Notes 5 Do zooplankton eat microplastics
Answer Sheet for Student Sheet 6b
This is Lesson 6 of 7 in the Plankton, Plastics and Poo unit of work, which is based on current research being conducted at the University of Exeter and Plymouth Marine Laboratory. The unit consists of enquiry-based lessons which support students to work scientifically by simulating the researchers’ investigations, and encourages students to the use their findings to have a wider impact.
The resource uses innovative methods to bring cutting edge science to the classroom, including:
- Using real field and laboratory data.
- Practical investigations that replicate the work of the scientists.
- Using social media to connect with the scientists.
- The opportunity to connect with scientists through Skype in the classroom events.
All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
This #GoogleExpeditions lesson develops students’ understanding of recycling and where waste goes.
Students develop their knowledge of recycling through a Google Expedition to the New York Department of Sanitation. They apply their learning in the form of a waste diary and develop values needed to reduce and recycle more of their waste.
Google Expeditions are immersive 360 degree photo stories designed for use in the classroom. For more see: https://www.google.com/edu/expeditions/
To download Google Docs versions of the lesson plan and student sheet go to: https://goo.gl/UzlX1w
An in-depth introduction to the themes of extreme environments and how science is conducted in remote regions, for schools internationally.
The booklet includes lesson plans and activities about current research on snow and ice extent, ocean currents, ocean acidification and marine biology. Designed to be used in conjunction with the Encounter Edu Discovery Zone.
The enquiry-based resources incorporate the scientists’ experiences and research, and include booklets with structured lesson plans, activity and experiment sheets, an interactive Media Player with videos and images from the expeditions, along with posters and other related resources.
Plastic pollution: how can we reduce ocean plastics? is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) resource. This first lesson in this design and technology Key Stage 3 (KS3) unit introduces students to ocean plastic pollution. Students learn how the waste hierarchy is used to encourage a reduction in plastic use. Using the various teacher resources students will link the waste hierarchy to the life cycle of plastic, thinking about how the methods used in recycling link to those used in the redesign processes and how those affect the lifetime of plastic products.
This is a single lesson from the Oceans Plastics unit. Ocean Plastics D&T 11-14 is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) resource. Students are taken on the journey of how the 6 Rs can be applied to reduce ocean plastic pollution. Students will learn the science behind what makes plastics both brilliant for everyday purposes and devastating to our oceans and marine life. Exploring the 6 Rs students innovate product designs which creatively solve the problem of ocean plastics.Included in this topic are teacher resources that promote students to problem solve through creative design. Students will design a user-centred recycling bin to promote recycling, create a sustainable fashion brand, build a modular phone, and pitch their own unique design solution to the ocean plastic problem.
Get the whole unit resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/ocean-plastics-design-11-14
Ocean Plastics 5-7 is a Key Stage 1 (KS1) cross-curricular introduction to materials and their properties, which focusses on plastic and its abundance. Students discover how many everyday products are made from or contain plastic, understanding its versatility and resilience.
They go on to discover what happens to rubbish after it’s thrown away and explore recycling, landfill and litter. Students find out how detrimental plastic is to marine life and create posters and models encouraging friends and family to recycle and reduce the amount of plastic they use. This unit encourages proactive and positive behaviours, for all our futures.
If you liked this resource, please rate and review below. This will help to promote oceans education in schools worldwide.
Plastics: where are they? is a Key Stage 1 (KS1) lesson. In this lesson students consider what happens to their rubbish once they have disposed of it. They discover the route a plastic bottle might take to landfill, recycling or litter. Students then go on to discover how plastic bottles can be recycled and the new products that can be made. They discuss what happens to plastic that isn’t disposed of responsibly, then make posters instructing how to recycle and keep a rubbish and recycling diary to monitor their recycling at home.
This is a single lesson of the Ocean Plastics 5-7 unit. Ocean Plastics 5-7 is a Key Stage 1 (KS1) cross-curricular introduction to materials and their properties, which focusses on plastic and its abundance. Students discover how many everyday products are made from or contain plastic, understanding its versatility and resilience. They go on to discover what happens to rubbish after it’s thrown away and explore recycling, landfill and litter. Students find out how detrimental plastic is to marine life and create posters and models encouraging friends and family to recycle and reduce the amount of plastic they use. This unit encourages proactive and positive behaviours, for all our futures.
Get the whole unit resources here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/ocean-plastics-x-curric-5-7
Plastic field work (school grounds) is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) lesson. This lesson provides a framework for conducting plastics fieldwork in the school grounds. As per most fieldwork, it consists of three phases: preparation, conducting fieldwork, and then analysis and conclusions. Depending on your school timetable and ability of your class, you will need to set aside three to four hours to complete this fieldwork activity. Suggestions for challenge tasks are included for more able students, if you teach a mixed ability class.
This is a single lesson from Ocean Plastic Geography. Ocean Plastics Geography is a Key Stage 3 (KS3) resource. 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.
Get the whole unit’s resources here: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.
This lesson will be spent with students completing the assessment, which will include a variety of tasks such as exam questions and some skills-based questions such as finishing graphs.
This lesson is from the Coral Oceans Geograpy 14-16 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/coral-oceans-geography-14-16
The unit delivers a comprehensive understanding of coral reefs. Through the use of our exclusive galleries, videos and online resources, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of what coral reefs are, why they are important and how to protect them.
The unit includes challenging lessons on abiotic components such as the nutrient cycle and biotic factors such as food chains.
To experience the full impact of this scheme of work it can be taught in advance of our annual Coral Live event. Live lessons can be booked for free here: https://encounteredu.com/live
This lesson will look at the impacts of coral reef destruction, categorising those impacts. We discover the impacts to different stake holders in Timor-Leste through watching videos. Students will then write a letter to their local MP informing them of the threats the coral reefs are facing and why they need protection.
This lesson is from the Coral Oceans Geograpy 14-16 unit. You can access the unit here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/coral-oceans-geography-14-16
The unit delivers a comprehensive understanding of coral reefs. Through the use of our exclusive galleries, videos and online resources, students will develop their knowledge and understanding of what coral reefs are, why they are important and how to protect them.
The unit includes challenging lessons on abiotic components such as the nutrient cycle and biotic factors such as food chains.
To experience the full impact of this scheme of work it can be taught in advance of our annual Coral Live event. Live lessons can be booked for free here: https://encounteredu.com/live
Computing KS2: Safety and signalling is a resource in which students will consider how technology and people interact. Students will learn about signalling movement and giving warning with light and sound. Students will use code to control their robot car’s LEDs and buzzer to produce lights and sounds for a variety of different scenarios. Finally, they will discuss the other sensors and signals they think would be useful for their robots and an autonomous vehicle in real life.
This is a lesson from the Computing KS2 unit. Computing KS2 is a computing and robotics education programme based on driverless car technologies. Students will develop their ability to code as well as their design thinking as they tackle smart city challenges.
Through a series of nine lessons, students will learn about aspects of making, programming and design thinking as they build and program their own robot cars. They will work in teams to tackle coding challenges based on the actual problems that engineers are faced with in designing autonomous vehicles. In a final design challenge, students will need to work on not only the technical aspects of driverless cars, but also how they can improve lives and create smarter and safer communities.
All lesson resources are found here: https://encounteredu.com/teachers/units/code-smart-7-11
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.
In this Key Stage 2 (KS2) lesson, students simulate the training of Arctic explorers to learn how lifestyles can affect physical and mental health.
The lesson is introduced by Ann Daniels, a record-breaking polar explorer as the first woman in history, along with expedition teammate Caroline Hamilton, to reach the North and South Poles as part of all women teams.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 2: How do you train like an Arctic explorer?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 2a: Tyre drag relay
Activity Overview 2b: Sleeping bag relay
Student Sheet 2a: Training storyboard
It forms Lesson 2 of 5 from the Frozen Oceans 7-11 unit of work. Take your class to the North Pole with this cross-curricular investigation of the Arctic Ocean. The lessons progress to cover varied topics and skills needed for a science research expedition in the polar regions. Themes include Arctic food webs, training like an explorer, expedition food, insulation and clothing, the impacts of melting ice and conducting a press conference. The lessons can also be combined into a Polar Challenge Day. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
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.