Ocean Acidification Module

Description

The Ocean Acidification Module explores how human disruption of the carbon cycle can negatively impact the ocean, and our planet as a whole. It looks at the importance of algae like the giant kelp forests around the Channel Islands in mitigating these impacts. Not to be all doom and gloom, the module ends with an examination of personal agency and action, looking at what students can do in their daily lives to mitigate the causes of ocean acidification.

Key Themes


Carbon Cycle

Ocean Acidification

Carbon Footprint

Useage

This module contains materials for roughly 3 hours of instruction,
plus time spent gathering information at home for carbon footprint calculation.

Suggested Grade Level: 6-9

Lessons

The following sequence of lessons and activities will examine how the ocean supports life on this planet, and how human impacts like ocean acidification are disrupting this. It ends with an exploration of what actions we can take on a daily basis to reduce our individual contributions to these impacts. These elements can be completed in sequence, or as separate lessons.

Engage

Class Reading and Discussion: Our Life Support System”

Students will read and discuss Sylvia Earle’s explanation of how the ocean literally supports all life on this planet.
Island Visions, pages 78-81

Discussion Guide

Suggested Duration: 30 minutes

Explore

Independent Research: Our Carbon Explained

Students will examine the resources below, completing a comprehension worksheet.

  • Web Experience: Ocean Acidification
    See what happens when the carbon cycle gets overloaded, acidifying the ocean.
    islandvisions.org/acid
  • Read: “Carbon Footprint” 
    Learn how your daily actions contribute to this carbon cycle overload.
    Island Visions pages 254-255
Comprehension Workshop

Suggested Duration: 40 minutes

Explain

Class Discussion: Your Carbon Footprint

Students will discuss what individual actions in our personal lives might lead to ocean acidification.

Discussion Guide

Suggested Duration: 30 minutes

Elaborate

Activity: Calculating Your Footprint

Students will calculate the total amount of carbon that they generate in a year.

Activity Guide

Suggested Duration: 50 minutes + time at home to gather personal carbon footprint data

Evaluate

Class Discussion: End of the World Fatigue

Students will discuss how to cope with their individual actions contributing to such a large issue, and how to transform hopelessness into action.

Discussion Guide

Suggested Duration: 30 minutes

Island Visions is a storytelling project that brings the magic of the California Channel Islands to students of all ages. It was produced by Pedal Born Pictures in collaboration with Santa Barbara Middle School and a team of experts and elders who share a passion for the teaching power of this incredible place. 

Copyright Pedal Born Pictures 2023