In this Key Stage 4 (KS4) lesson, students work scientifically to explain how humans affect the marine environment.
The ocean is worth $49.7 trillion per year to the global economy and its beauty is priceless. People, every day, all over the world, use the ocean for a whole variety of purposes: but what impact does this human activity have on the ocean, the organisms that live there and on us?
This full lesson includes:
Lesson Overview & Teacher Guidance
Slideshow 2 Human impact on the marine environment
Student Sheet 2a Card sort for bioaccumulation
Student Sheet 2b Human impacts summary
Student Sheet 2c Human impacts summary (higher)
Subject Update The marine carbon cycle
Answer Sheet for Student Sheet 2b & 2c
Subject Update 3 Trophic cascades
This is Lesson 2 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 lesson is part of the Key Stage 4 (KS4) science unit, Plastic, Plankton and Poo.
In this lesson students work scientifically to explain the importance of zooplankton in the marine carbon cycle. Students will learn the importance of zooplankton as primary consumers in the community and as part of the marine biological pump in the global carbon cycle.
This full lesson includes:
Lesson Overview & Teacher Guidance
Slideshow 1 Why should we care about zooplankton?
Student Sheet 1a The importance of zooplankton
Mark scheme for Student Sheet 1a
Subject Update Copepods
Subject Update The marine carbon cycle
This is Lesson 1 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.
Students work scientifically using models to explain the impacts of Arctic ice melting.
Polar explorer, Ann Daniels puts this lesson into context, sharing her experiences of supporting Arctic fieldwork.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 6 Can ice melting in the Arctic really cause sea level rise?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 6 Sea level rise
Student Sheet 6a Is all ice equal?
Student Sheet 6b Storyboard
Subject Update 4 A melting Arctic
Subject Update 5 All about ice
Six enquiry-based lessons introducing ocean science concepts for ages 11-14.
These lessons and activities are full of practical ideas to bring carbonate chemistry and marine biology to the science classroom. All lessons demonstrate science at work and are based on recent research conducted in the Arctic. Designed to be used in conjunction with the Encounter Edu Discovery Zone. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Students work scientifically by using analytical techniques in a systematic way to identify mixed up samples of ocean water.
The context of the lesson is a mix up in a lab which students have to use their skills to solve.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 5: Ocean detectives
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 5: Ocean detectives
Student Sheet 5a: Ocean detectives
Subject Update 2: Thermohaline circulation
Six enquiry-based lessons introducing ocean science concepts for ages 11-14.
These lessons and activities are full of practical ideas to bring carbonate chemistry and marine biology to the science classroom. All lessons demonstrate science at work and are based on recent research conducted in the Arctic. Designed to be used in conjunction with the Encounter Edu Media Zone. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Students work scientifically by assessing the risks of working in a lab and the more extreme environment of the Arctic.
The context of the lesson is Dr Victoria Hill’s work into how algal growth is affected by the changing photoperiod in the Arctic.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 4: How do we investigate photosynthesis in the Arctic safely?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 4: How do we investigate photosynthesis in the Arctic safely?
Student Sheet 4a: How do we investigate photosynthesis in the Arctic safely?
Student Sheet 4b: Hazards of working in the Arctic
Six enquiry-based lessons introducing ocean science concepts for ages 11-14.
These lessons and activities are full of practical ideas to bring carbonate chemistry and marine biology to the science classroom. All lessons demonstrate science at work and are based on recent research conducted in the Arctic. Designed to be used in conjunction with the Encounter Edu Media Zone. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Students work scientifically by developing and using a model (a food web) to formulate hypotheses.
The context of the lesson is Dr Ceri Lewis’ investigating how ocean acidification might affect the plankton at low trophic levels and the cascade effects at higher levels. The lesson builds on students’ prior knowledge of interdependence.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 3: How does ocean acidification affect communities?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 3a: Arctic food webs
Student Sheet 3b: Arctic organisms
Subject Update 1: Ocean acidification
Subject Update 3: Trophic cascades
Six enquiry-based lessons introducing ocean science concepts for ages 11-14.
These lessons and activities are full of practical ideas to bring carbonate chemistry and marine biology to the science classroom. All lessons demonstrate science at work and are based on recent research conducted in the Arctic. Designed to be used in conjunction with the Encounter Edu Discovery Zone. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Students work scientifically by writing a method to test a hypothesis and then practise this in an exam setting.
The context of the lesson is Dr Ceri Lewis’ work into the impact of ocean acidification on copepods; a type of zooplankton with calcium carbonate shells.
The lesson builds on students’ prior knowledge of the environmental impact of anthropogenic CO2 production.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 2 How does ocean acidification affect organisms?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 2 Investigating how ocean acidification affects organisms with shells
Student Sheet 2a Investigating how ocean acidification affects organisms with shells
Subject Update 1 Ocean acidification
Six enquiry-based lessons introducing ocean science concepts for ages 11-14.
These lessons and activities are full of practical ideas to bring carbonate chemistry and marine biology to the science classroom. All lessons demonstrate science at work and are based on recent research conducted in the Arctic. Designed to be used in conjunction with the Encounter Edu Discovery Zone. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
A practical lesson where students work scientifically and develop their literacy skills by writing a conclusion using the ‘Point Evidence Explain’ technique from English.
The context of the lesson is the work of Dr Helen Findlay who is investigating ocean acidification: ‘the other carbon problem’.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 1: Are humans causing ocean acidification?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 1: Are humans causing ocean acidification?
Student Sheet 1a: Are humans causing ocean acidification?
Student Sheet 1b: Practical instructions
Subject Update 1: Ocean acidification
Six enquiry-based lessons introducing ocean science concepts for ages 11-14.
These lessons and activities are full of practical ideas to bring carbonate chemistry and marine biology to the science classroom. All lessons demonstrate science at work and are based on recent research conducted in the Arctic. Designed to be used in conjunction with the Digital Explorer Media Zone. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
In this lesson students learn about the impacts of ice in the Arctic melting by watching a series of demonstrations.
The context of the lesson is the work of Dr Helen Findlay who was investigating the effect of environmental change on the Arctic ecosystem.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 5: How is the Arctic changing?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 5a: The albedo effect
Activity Overview 5b: Sea level rise
Activity Overview 5c: Ocean circulation demonstration
Student Sheet 5a: Sentences card sort
Student Sheet 5b: Arctic issues storyboard
It forms Lesson 5 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.
In this lesson students investigate the insulating properties of materials and consider how the adaptations of Arctic organisms help develop these.
The context of the lesson is helping to develop new clothing for Tyler Fish, one of the Catlin Arctic Survey explorers.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 4: How do humans and animals keep warm in the arctic?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 4: Investigating insulating materials
Student Sheet 4a: Investigating insulating materials
Student Sheet 4b: Scientific poster template
Student Sheet 4c: Scientific poster template (advanced)
Student Sheet 4d: Blubber gloves
It forms Lesson 4 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.
This lesson is focussed on food and nutrition for Key Stage 2 (KS2) students. Students learn about diet and the importance of a balanced diet through the experiences of polar explorers. Using creativity and scientific research skills, students will create a menu suitable for an Arctic expedition.
The lesson is introduced by Fran Orio, a specialist polar cook, who can make amazing meals in the most extreme circumstances.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 3: How do you eat like an Arctic explorer?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 3: Pemmican recipe
Student Sheet 3a: Researching food
Student Sheet 3b: Polar menu
It forms Lesson 3 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.
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.
Students develop their understanding of simple food chains or webs and scientific vocabulary through making an Arctic life mobile.
They will also be introduced to the work of marine scientist, Dr Ceri Lewis, who has worked in the Arctic investigating the impact of environmental change on this fragile ecosystem.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 1: What organisms live in the Arctic?
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview 1: Arctic mobiles
Student Sheet 1a: Researching Arctic organisms
Student Sheet 1b: Arctic organisms cards
Student Sheet 1c: Arctic life mobiles
It forms Lesson 1 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.
Encounter Edu links curriculum aligned education with global burning issues to inspire STEM careers and encourage environmental stewardship. Learn more about what we do at www.encounteredu.com or by visiting our TES Shop, filled with quality, free of charge resources.
Our Ocean Planet is a full unit of work covering all aspects of the ocean across Key Stage 2. Each lesson is written with an ocean expert - scientist, advocate or explorer (great for STEM careers). Together they form a learning voyage around the world, discovering more about out ocean planet through core aspects of the science and geography programmes of study as well as developing numeracy and literacy skills.
The unit works in two parts. First, students will explore the UK seas learning about the names and locations of marine places, marine habitats and the diversity of marine life, as well as the contribution of the sea to the UK economy. Students then go on a global ocean voyage to each of the main oceans, learning about diverse marine topics from the water cycle in the Arctic to evolution in the Southern Ocean and classification on coral reefs in the Indian Ocean.
A full list of topics is below and the downloads include the unit booklet with lesson plans, student sheets, practical guidance and subject updates. Slideshows for each lesson are separate downloads.
Mission 1: UK seas with Paul Rose
Mission 2: UK marine habitats with Dr Susana Lincoln
Mission 3: UK marine life with Dr Ceri Lewis & Dr Helen Findlay
Mission 4: Using our seas with Jennifer Gomez Molina
Mission 5: Our ocean voyage with Prof Alex Rogers
Mission 6: The Arctic Ocean and water cycle with Prof Mark Brandon
Mission 7: The Atlantic Ocean and climate with Prof Penny Holliday
Mission 8: The Indian Ocean and classification with Sheena Talma
Mission 9: The Pacific Ocean and plastic pollution with Jo Royle
Mission 10: The Southern Ocean and penguin adaptation with Dr Norman Ratcliffe
Mission 11: The Southern Ocean and penguin evolution with Dr Michael Dunn
Mission 12: Captain’s log
Encounter Edu links curriculum aligned education with global burning issues to inspire STEM careers and encourage environmental stewardship. Learn more about what we do at www.encounteredu.com or by visiting our TES Shop, filled with quality, free of charge resources.
Students will learn about the link between latitude and climate, applying key terms such as equator and climate zones. They will also look at the influence of the ocean on climate and why the UK is warmer than it ‘should be’.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 7 The Atlantic Ocean and climate with Prof Penny Holliday
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 7a World city cards
Student Sheet 7b World climate zones
Student Sheet 7c Explaining the UK climate
Student Sheet 7d The ocean and climate
It forms Lesson 7 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Using the context of a voyage around the world’s ocean, students will learn about presentation skills including delivery and slide design. Students will deliver their presentation to the class, receiving feedback from their peers.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 12: Captain’s log
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 12a: Presentation storyboard
Student Sheet 12b: Presentation peer assessment
It forms Lesson 12 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Students explore how penguins might have evolved to suit past environmental changes. The core of this lesson is the Penguin Evolution Game, which simulates the six stages of adaptation that lead to evolution.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 11: The Southern Ocean and penguin evolution with Dr Michael Dunn
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview: Penguin evolution script (student-friendly script to describe the six stages of adaptation that lead to evolution)
Activity Overview: Penguin evolution game (instructions for running this classroom simulation)
Student Sheet 11a: Penguin evolution game cards
Student Sheet 11b: Penguin evolution card sort
Student Sheet 11c: Storyboard cloze task
Student Sheet 11d: Storyboard template
It forms Lesson 11 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
In this KS2 science lesson, students travel to the Southern Ocean and the waters around Antarctica to study penguins. Students will learn about the adaptations that allow penguins to survive. This lesson can be used as an introductory lesson to the topic of evolution for upper Key Stage 2 students, which is the focus of Mission 10
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 10 The Southern Ocean and penguin adaptation with Dr Norman Ratcliffe
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Student Sheet 10 Penguin adaptations (students are directed to use an online interactive Thinglink to complete their research)
It forms Lesson 10 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
Encounter Edu links curriculum aligned education with global burning issues to inspire STEM careers and encourage environmental stewardship. Learn more about what we do at www.encounteredu.com or by visiting our TES Shop, filled with quality, free of charge resources.
Plastic pollution is one of the major issues affecting the ocean. Students will begin by learning about the impact of litter on marine life. They will then explore the 3 Rs (reduce, recycle, reuse) and how they can be applied to the issue of marine plastic pollution. Students will then be guided to reuse common plastic waste to make a new useful object such as a bird-feeder or snack box.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 9: The Pacific Ocean and plastic pollution with Jo Royle
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview: Reusing plastic bottles
Student Sheet 9a: Reusing plastic bottles preparation
Student Sheet 9b: Reusing plastic bottles guidance
Student Sheet 9c: Reusing plastic bottles review
It forms Lesson 9 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.
This classification lesson is based around an expedition to the coral reef. Students learn about classification through practical sorting activities and then apply their knowledge to the amazing animals on the coral reef and some of the oddities that are found there. What is a coral? Is a dolphin more closely related to a shark or a cow? More able students can also develop their own classification key.
This full lesson contains:
Slideshow 8: The Indian Ocean and classification with Sheena Talma
Lesson Overview and Teacher Guidance
Activity Overview: Sorting objects practical
Student Sheet 8a: Classifying coral life
Student Sheet 8b: Making a key
Student Sheet 8c: Classification card sort
Student Sheet 8d: Coral life fact sheet
It forms Lesson 8 of 12 from the Our Ocean Planet resource, which is designed to support Key Stage 2 teachers to teach all aspects of the ocean. It can be used as a full topic with over 20 hours of classroom activities or using a pick and mix approach. All lessons and resources are available from Encounter Edu’s TES profile.