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Ocean Acidification Science in Schools (OASIS)

Secluded beach with tide pools and algae covered rock formations captured soon after sunrise, Half Moon Bay, California, USA. Credit: Jan Arendtsz (Flickr, CC)

Why we care
Many in-service teachers lack sufficient support to integrate ocean and coastal acidification into their classrooms. Teaching multifaceted complex topics can be more effective through place-based and experiential learning. This project provides a hands-on science curriculum to students with limited access to educational resources and limited support at home. 

What we will do
The Marine Science Institute (MSI)’s Ocean Acidification Science In Schools (OASIS) project, building on the long-standing relationship with Kennedy Middle School (KMS) in Redwood City, California will create a place-based, hands-on curriculum for ocean and coastal acidification. The program will reach 250 underrepresented 6th grade students from a primarily Hispanic/Latinx community. The team will curate a combination of six classroom activities, three outdoor experiences, and three evaluation activities led by MSI. The KMS teachers will lead a student project using local data as well as supplemental activities provided through NOAA. 

Students will experience and build perspectives on their local watershed’s connection to the ocean, and the impact of coastal and ocean acidification. Each participant will spend 21 hours of contact time engaging in multiple hands-on learning modules. Local field experiences will include 6 in-class lab experiments to practice with the scientific method as well as water-based activities such as conducting a stream study, paddling a canoe for a wetlands study, and exploring the tidepools of the Pacific Coast. This comprehensive program aims to connect students the local marine environment and watershed. The activities to reduce marine debris in the watershed, conduct water quality surveys, and increase knowledge of coastal and ocean acidification and its effects on local organisms will empower students to promote awareness and take action.

All lessons will align to Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Benefits of our work
Underserved students will engage in a yearlong look at live data from local buoys, and learn how to communicate the data and ways to help reduce human impacts on ocean and coastal acidification. Teachers will receive a series of classroom-based activities that increase both educator and student ocean acidification literacy. Students will gain first-hand experience with local ocean environments, the scientific information collected used to inform decisions, and introduce them to these complex topics that support NOAA ocean literacy principles. 

Investigators
Karen Peluso-Galaviz, Marine Science Institute

Image: Tide pools captured soon after sunrise at Half Moon Bay, California, USA. Credit: Jan Arendtsz (Flickr, Creative Commons)

ADAPTING TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) works to prepare society to adapt to the consequences of ocean acidification and conserve marine ecosystems as acidification occurs. Learn more about the human connections and adaptation strategies from these efforts.

Adaptation approaches fostered by the OAP include:

FORECASTING

Using models and research to understand the sensitivity of organisms and ecosystems to ocean acidification to make predictions about the future, allowing communities and industries to prepare

MANAGEMENT

Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

On the Road

Drive fuel-efficient vehicles or choose public transportation. Choose your bike or walk! Don't sit idle for more than 30 seconds. Keep your tires properly inflated.

With your Food Choices

Eat local- this helps cut down on production and transport! Reduce your meat and dairy. Compost to avoid food waste ending up in the landfill

With your Food Choices

Make energy-efficient choices for your appliances and lighting. Heat and cool efficiently! Change your air filters and program your thermostat, seal and insulate your home, and support clean energy sources

By Reducing Coastal Acidification

Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats

TAKE ACTION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

You've taken the first step to learn more about ocean acidification - why not spread this knowledge to your community?

Every community has their unique culture, economy and ecology and what’s at stake from ocean acidification may be different depending on where you live.  As a community member, you can take a larger role in educating the public about ocean acidification. Creating awareness is the first step to taking action.  As communities gain traction, neighboring regions that share marine resources can build larger coalitions to address ocean acidification.  Here are some ideas to get started:

  1. Work with informal educators, such as aquarium outreach programs and local non-profits, to teach the public about ocean acidification. Visit our Education & Outreach page to find the newest tools!
  2. Participate in habitat restoration efforts to restore habitats that help mitigate the effects of coastal acidification
  3. Facilitate conversations with local businesses that might be affected by ocean acidification, building a plan for the future.
  4. Partner with local community efforts to mitigate the driver behind ocean acidification  – excess CO2 – such as community supported agriculture, bike & car shares and other public transportation options.
  5. Contact your regional Coastal Acidification Network (CAN) to learn how OA is affecting your region and more ideas about how you can get involved in your community
       More for Taking Community Action