climate kids
connects
Oceans
about
Oceans cover 71% of the world and are the basis of all life. Although the intake of carbon dioxide into marine ecosystems is a natural process, scientists are observing significant impacts of too much carbon dioxide entering this system. As ocean temperatures rise along with global temperatures, plants and animals struggle to adapt to higher temperatures. Increased amounts of carbon dioxide entering an aquatic system leads to an increased rate of ocean acidification.
These activities will explore climate impacts to our oceans.
hands-on science
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Why Melting Glaciers Matter to the Coast
This video demonstrates how melting land ice raises sea level, but melting sea ice does not. See how warming in far-away places like Antarctica matters to people on coasts world-wide. Teachers can repeat this demonstration with inexpensive materials.
Activity Type
Activity Time
Video
2 minutes
Plastic Ocean
Plastic flows from our neighborhoods to the ocean, but it can be tough to see and really hard to quantify! In this lesson, students will be asked to think about how plastic from their house might get to the ocean; what harm it might cause; and how we can count “microplastics” in nature.
Activity Type
Activity Time
PDF
1 hour
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art activities
Ocean Acidification Watercolors
Ocean acidification is an important issue regarding climate change and the health of our planet's oceans. Much like vinegar, the ocean is becoming more acidic, and interacting differently with the chemistry of the ocean and the animals that inhabit it. Learn more through this colorful art activity!
Activity Type
Activity Time
Video
3 minutes
storytelling
Change for the Oceans
This playful story featuring flamingos, walruses, and turtles reminds us that we all share this Earth -- and the responsibility for taking care of it -- and that we can slow the climate crisis by making little changes on our own and big changes together.
Activity Type
Activity Time
Video
2 minutes
Fever in the Oceans
Temperatures all over the world are rising due to climate change, effecting the marine life around the world. Learn about the oceans, the changes in climate and its affects on the oceans, and what you can do to help preserve our planet with Fever in the Oceans.
Activity Type
Activity Time
Video
6 minutes
additional resources
Climate Science & Oceans Traveling Trunk
While participating in the Climate Kids activities of art, science and storytelling, students will learn about the importance of marine ecosystems for the environment and understand how these ecosystems are being affected by climate change, ocean acidification, and ocean warming.
Activity Type
Multimedia
Activity Time
Varies
Climate Science + Oceans Traveling Trunk Training
Learn how to use the Climate Science + Oceans Traveling Trunk with your student group.
While participating in the Climate Kids activities of art, science and storytelling, students will learn about the importance of marine ecosystems for the environment and understand how these ecosystems are being affected by climate change, ocean acidification, and ocean warming.
Activity Type
Video
Activity Time
14 minutes
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