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Resources for Students & Educators

Education and Outreach

Education and outreach are vital to improving the public’s awareness and understanding of ocean acidification to prepare and adapt to its impacts.

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The goal of NOAA's OAP is to effectively communicate the changes our ocean faces along with the science behind and efforts to adapt to and mitigate these changes.

Partnering with other NOAA programs, we work to develop strategies and tools to effectively communicate the impacts of ocean acidification and potential solutions. We host a variety of workshops and online webinars to share these strategies to those communicating about our changing ocean around the globe.

OAP advances ocean acidification literacy for better decision-making

NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program provides educational and public outreach opportunities to improve understanding of ocean acidification to students, educators and the broader public. With increased awareness of ocean and coastal acidification, communities can prepare and adapt to the consequences of our changing ocean. NOAA is legislated to facilitate national public outreach activities to improve the understanding of current scientific knowledge of ocean acidification and its impacts on marine resources.

Action for Ocean Acidification Education

The Ocean Acidification Program works to understand and fill the needs of the ocean acidification education and communication community.

NOAA addresses four major goals for advancing education

  • Develop and conduct a comprehensive needs assessment of education and outreach programming and potential audiences.
  • Prioritize and engage target audiences for ocean acidification education and outreach outcome.
  • Match ocean acidification communication needs with existing research, education and outreach activities.
  • Develop innovative approaches for community involvement outcome.

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Implementation Plan identifies  actions to extend the reach of NOAA research findings to the broader community through education and outreach. The first step was evaluating the needs in education and outreach programming to determine gaps and opportunities to strengthen ocean acidification education and communication.

OAP supported grants and NOAA activities address the goals of the implementation plan. Some efforts include developing multimedia education tools, place-based curricula and supporting community science in various U.S. regions.

Download NOAA's OA Educaiton Implementation Plan
Communicating Effectively
After more than a decade of sharing about ocean acidification science, we’ve learned what resonates with people when introduced to this complex topic and what leads to misconceptions. Using best practices for education and communication based on social science and cognitive science leads to a more comprehensive and accurate understanding of ocean acidification. OAP provides and shares resources, activities and programming that support these efforts so that people can make the best informed decisions.
Communicating Complexity
Ocean and coastal acidification are complex topics. It is important to connect the dots for your audience by effectively sharing how ocean acidification occurs, what happens and its consequences and what is being done to help people prepare and adapt.

First, the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide like a sponge and this changes ocean chemistry. One consequence of changing ocean chemistry is that our ocean is increasing in acidity. Small changes can have big consequences for some marine life and people depending on them. We see those impacts now.
Ocean acidification impacts marine life
Ocean acidification is an energy problem - some marine life spend more energy getting the mineral building blocks they need to build and maintain their shells and skeletons. Energy that could be used for growth, avoiding predators, feeding and reproducing.
More about impacts
Ocean acidification impacts people
Ocean acidification threatens food security, economies, and ways of life because of its potential impacts on coastal ecosystems and societies. Practical, common sense steps now can ensure the future of healthy marine ecosystems upon which we rely.
How people adapt
A Common Misconception
One common misconception the community is working to clarify is the difference between climate change and ocean acidification, because although carbon dioxide is the source behind both of these changes, they are distinct.
How ocean acidification differs from climate change
Climate change drives changes in our atmosphere that can then cause changes in our ocean such as warming temperatures, while ocean and coastal acidification are is directly caused by an increase in carbon dioxide in our atmosphere and from other sources. It is the changing ocean chemistry that results from the ocean absorbing carbon like a sponge.

Education & Outreach Resources

Search the Resources Portal for all education and outreach resources.

Ocean Protector is a free online game created by the University of Indiana. This is a screenshot of the game with animated ocean background and top menu to start or continue your game journey.
Ocean Protector

Understand ocean acidification through interactive “choose your own adventure” game-based learning. Find easy to access game, source code, science standards, educator guide, and module integration. Geared toward students in middle school to adults.

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NOAA's Data in the Classroom module for Ocean Acidification
NOAA Data in the Classroom

Bring data to your classroom and learn about ocean and coastal acidification in five interactive modules incorporating the latest NOAA data to reveal the science behind ocean acidification. Students grades 9-12 can examine the connections between carbon dioxide, ocean pH, and aragonite saturation state to understand why ocean pH is changing and how it impacts marine chemistry and ecosystems.

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University of Washington's Virtual Urchin; Our Acidifying Ocean online modular curriculum
Virtual Urchin - Our Acidifying Ocean

Four module online and mobile friendly curriculum for students to experiment and learn about ocean acidification, its impacts, and actions students can take. Dive into this virtual lab and experiment with students to investigate the impacts of ocean acidification on urchin larval growth. Available in five languages with teacher resources available.

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Dungeness crab in a crab hold. Credit: Austin Trigg, NMFS
NOAA Sanctuaries Dungeness Crab Case Study

Dungeness crab is a valuable species throughout the national marine sanctuaries of the West Coast from Washington state to throughout California. This communication toolkit is designed for educators and communicators to use to teach others about the impact of ocean acidification on Dungeness crab.

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Two lobster larvae in a dish during an ocean acidification experiment. Image taken from VA Sea Grant
Ocean Acidification, Warming Effects on Lobsters

Bring research into the classroom with this unit and storymap on the effects of a warmer, acidifying ocean on American lobsters. Six lessons geared toward high school students accompany a storymap to learn about how warming and ocean acidification impact the culturally and economically important lobster. Resources hosted by Virginia Sea Grant.

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Visit Storymap>

Acidification in Our Ocean

This infographic describes both ocean and coastal acidification and how they can impact marine life such as corals and fish, along with what we can do to help.

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Upcoming Webinars

NOAA OAP WORKSHOP: Regional Resiliency & Vulnerability Assessments

Join us for a free virtual workshop on our Regional Resiliency & Vulnerability Assessment (RVA) projects on October 9, 2024 at 1pm EST. Our recently funded RVA projects will share results and facilitate connections between current project leaders and those interested in applying to our upcoming FY25 Regional Vulnerability Assessment funding call, which will likely release at the end of summer. RVA projects are interdisciplinary projects that supplement the physical, chemical, and biological science of ocean acidification with social science to assess regional vulnerability.

More info
SOARCE Events Agenda

SOARCE WEBINARS

SOARCE Webinars will resume in the fall

This webinar series provides ocean acidification communication tools to formal and informal educators,  stakeholders, and rightsholders across the country. 

SOARCE promotes a more integrated and effective ocean acidification education community by sharing activities and resources virtually. The ocean acidification education and communication communities can use and create cutting-edge communication tools incorporating current scientific and communication research to reach a variety of audiences.

Sign up for the SOARCE listserv 

View our full webinar playlist

Communicating Coastal Acidification

Coastal acidification represents a significant environmental change associated with nutrient runoff from land, or eutrophication.

This coastal acidification animation is intended to support teachers who are educating students about the causes and effects of ocean acidification and want to shift their students’ learning from a global problem to a coastal water quality issue.

Play with Audio

This animation is featured as part of the NOAA Data in the Classroom Ocean and Coastal Acidification Module and is integrated directly into the online Story Map activities. To find it, go to Level 3 of the Story Map. The animation, and a choices game, can be accessed from the Teacher Guide tab and is available for teachers to use as an extension activity.

Education Toolkits

Pacific Northwest Ocean Acidification Toolkit

This toolkit utilizes effective communication strategies to convey the significance of ocean acidification effects and empower mitigation actions within communities.

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Videos on Acidification Impacts & Solutions

Hear from researchers and communities about ocean and coastal acidification, its causes, impacts and solutions. This collection of videos were produced by the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN).

Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network
View with Spanish Subtitles

Coastal and Ocean Acidification

Coastal communities in the Mid-Atlantic depend on the ocean for their livelihoods. As the ocean absorbs more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and becomes more acidic (lower pH), small changes in the food chain can ripple up to the seafood caught and sold locally. Dive in with ocean advocate Eva as she breaks down the sources of ocean and coastal acidification, its impacts on shellfish and the local economy, and actions students can take locally to protect and preserve the ocean from future acidification. We’ll also explore how new carbon removal strategies are becoming part of the solution.  (9:00 Min) (Suggested Grades: 6-12) 

View with Spanish Subtitles

Ocean Acidification: Livelihoods on the Line

Ocean Acidification challenges/threatens the livelihoods of shellfish growers, seafood dealers, and commercial fishermen in the Mid-Atlantic. Learn firsthand from three local growers and fishermen about the impacts they’ve observed to oysters, clams, and finfish, the business challenges they’re facing, and the ways they’re adapting their hatchery operations and fishing practices in response to climate change. (5:30 min) (Suggested Grades: 9-12) 

View with Spanish Subtitles

Ocean Acidification: Oysters and Seagrass

In the Mid-Atlantic’s coastal waters, oysters and seagrass provide important habitat for fish and crabs. They also filter out nutrients that cause algal blooms (eutrophication). When faced with ocean acidification, do these habitat builders always lose? In this video, we explore how oysters and seagrass differ in their responses to acidification and what this means for local estuaries and ecosystems. You’ll also learn about community actions that can be taken to prevent ocean acidification and protect these critical habitat builders. (4:30 min) (Suggested Grades: 9-12) 

View with Spanish Subtitles

Ocean Acidification: Monitoring and Solutions

Technological advances in acidification monitoring and ocean carbon dioxide removal can help reduce ocean acidification’s impacts to Mid-Atlantic fisheries and local economy. In this video, we explore how scientists use underwater robots (gliders) to help fishery managers identify “hotspots” of acidification. Find out how innovative carbon removal strategies like enhancing the ocean’s ability to buffer acidity and mineral weathering can be part of the solution. (5:00 min) (Suggested Grades: 9-12) 

Coastal State Governments, Regional Networks & Others

The OAP works closely with coastal state governments, on-the-ground networks, industry and NGOs to develop their responses to ocean acidification

Learn More

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

50 more ways to reduce your 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