Carbonated Communities

Lacey Moore, Shape of Life, Sea Studios Foundation

This series of two lessons uses cutting-edge scientific research on the effects of climate change on communities in the intertidal. Through a combination of a dynamic presentation and several videos, students are introduced to the effects of climate change on the ocean (ocean acidification and temperature increase) and what is known about how ocean organisms are affected. Then students read and interpret graphs and construct a scientific explanation based on data from this research.

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Notes from our reviewers

The CLEAN collection is hand-picked and rigorously reviewed for scientific accuracy and classroom effectiveness. Read what our review team had to say about this resource below or learn more about how CLEAN reviews teaching materials.

Teachers may need to help students with graph analysis and data interpretation, as students create their claims on how ocean acidification is affecting sea life. Consider showing the videos twice to facilitate learning. An extension for middle schoolers could be to report on a scientist involved in this project for middle schoolers. For high school and undergrad, an extension could involve presenting not only information from the video but other papers, presentations, etc.
The resource follows the process of research, data analysis, and conclusion with evidence. This resource does a good job of presenting basic concepts of different aquatic life forms, and how these species may be affected by climate change either through increasing ocean temperature or acidification. The discussion points on climate change presented in these materials are accurate. Providing the basis of how animals' shells are formed prior to discussing how climate change can affect aquatic animals provides a nice avenue for learning items in a logical order. The use of videos, animations, data sheets, and teacher-led discussions allow students to create their own conclusions. Comments from expert scientist: The resource uses real data from scientific studies and shows the scientists who are doing the work, as well as their labs and methods. Possible actions regarding climate change are somewhat odd, for example, video games are not a major source of emissions.
Some of the graphs presented for student analysis may require close teacher explanation. Handout sheets and powerpoints give detailed help with the data analysis. Videos and teacher led powerpoint presentations introduce the concepts and ask students to use the 3-2-1 system for understanding and question writing. Students are given the opportunity to analyze data sets from research and create a claim with evidence based on what they have learned. The in-text information is presented well and in a logical order. The figures included in the presentations are a good compliment to the in-text information, but are only suitable for audiences interested in math and data interpretation. This may limit the classes where this information can be presented. To this end, the resource does provide a "Teacher Key" that allows the teacher to explain the topics in palatable detail.