AU2.3 How does climate change affect the ocean?

About Lesson

Duration: 60 minutes

In this lesson students will learn about 3 of the major ways climate change is affecting the ocean (Ocean Acidification, Sea Level Rise and Temperature Rise) through a series of hands on demonstrations. This lesson also comes with an optional extension that gives students the opportunity to interpret graphs and data surrounding the topic of ocean acidification.

Educational Goals:

To help students understand how climate change is affecting the ocean and ocean environments
To help students think about how this might impact Cayman's marine ecosystems

Materials:

Two identical cups of water
Thermometers
Ice cubes
Tupperware container
Raised platform (e.g. small box or books)
Seashell or dead coral piece
Vinegar
Demonstration handout
Presentation
Activity guide

Preparation:

To run this lesson within 1 hour, prepare all demonstrations ahead of time so that assembly is simple
Make sure you read through the presentation and activity guide

Lesson Plan

Start with a brief lesson breakdown and explanation for what the student will be doing
Conduct a short class discussion based on key questions
Distribute the demonstration handout and go through the columns

Key Questions:

In what ways do you think the changing climate affects our oceans?
Why would the climate have an impact on the oceans?
Why are the oceans important to us?

Use two cups of water, one to be placed outside where it receives direct sunlight and one to be placed in a location away from the sun (e.g., a cupboard or closet).

Have students place a thermometer in each cup of water and record the initial temperatures on their handouts.
Students should fill out the predications section on the handout about what will happen to the water.
Place the cups in the designated locations and wait for about 10-15 minutes.
Move on to Next Demonstration

Bring the students outside or to an area with a window where they can observe the demonstration.
Place a Tupperware container with water on ice cubes to the container to represent melting ice from glaciers. The ice should be raised out of the water on a block or cup – either way, make sure the melting water will flow into the container.
Place an item in the water just at water level - so when the water rises it will be underwater.
Record the water level either by measuring it with a ruler or by marking the Tupperware.
Have students observe the water level in the Tupperware container and make predictions on their handouts about what they think will happen as the ice melts.
Move on to the next activity letting ice melt.

Using the presentation, introduce the concept that the ocean absorbs a lot of the CO2 that humans put into the atmosphere and explain how it is a consequence of climate change.
Demonstrate the effects of CO2 on water by placing a seashell or piece of dead coral in a cup of vinegar. The seashell or coral will begin fizzing after 2-3 minutes.
Have students write on their handouts predictions about what they think will happen.

Over time, the vinegar (acidic) will start to dissolve the seashell, simulating the effects of ocean acidification on marine life.

Gather the class and return to the cups of water and measure the new temperatures of each cup.
Discuss the difference between the two temperatures.
Have students fill out “What Happened” column.

Return to the Tupperware and measure the water level.

Discuss the amount of change and what happened.
Ask - What does the item in the water represent?
Have students fill out “What Happened” column.

Have students work in pairs to discuss each demonstration and how this might affect Cayman.

Encourage students to reflect on how these changes in ocean temperatures and sea level rise might impact the Cayman Islands and its marine life.
Have students complete the third column of their handouts, considering the potential effects of climate change on the local environment