Ocean Acidification Education Toolkit
Pacific Northwest
This toolkit utilizes effective communication strategies to convey the significance of ocean acidification effects and empower mitigation actions within communities.
Hey! What’s All That Commotion In Our Ocean?
An Ocean Acidification Toolkit
What's Inside:
This Ocean Acidification Toolkit includes four modules that have led to increased ocean acidification literacy for ages 9 and older. All modules can be used independently or in their entirety and average about 15 minutes. Every module includes the ocean acidification literacy goal, a value that can be used to better engage or connect with the audience, discussion points, supporting questions for the audience, and solutions in which the audience can take part. In addition, an optional script that uses specific language will guide the instructor in successful and effective ocean acidification dialogue.
At the conclusion of the modules, students can take the Ocean Acidification Ambassador Pledge.
Toolkit Downloads
Toolkit Introduction
The Toolkit Introduction provides background for teachers, materials lists, and takeaways from the lesson.
Optional Script
The Optional Script uses specific language for instructors to create a and effective OA dialogue.
OA Ambassador Pledge
At the conclusion of the modules, students can take the Ocean Acidification Ambassador Pledge
Slide Deck
The Slide Deck visually enhances each module and provides opportunities for engagement.
Module I - Our Ocean: The Giant Sponge
About Module I
The aim is for students to understand the difference between uncontrolled and regular carbon dioxide through inquiry and examples.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify differences between uncontrolled and regular carbon dioxide
- Understand that the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
- Understand that more uncontrolled carbon dioxide results in increased absorption of carbon dioxide into our ocean
- Increased carbon dioxide from the burning of fossil fuels is the primary cause of ocean acidification
- Importance of a healthy ocean and action-based solutions
Module II - Our Changing Ocean
About Module II
This demonstration will assist in explaining how ocean acidification has changed our ocean over time.
Learning Objectives
- Uncontrolled carbon dioxide from human activities like burning fossil fuels is causing ocean acidification now
- Identify the current increased acidity of our ocean, as compared to the past
- The future of our ocean depends on the choices we make now
Module III - Swim, Snack, Sink
About Module III
This activity will show some of the impacts that ocean acidification has on some of our ocean’s sea creatures. Ocean acidification will affect pteropods’ (sea butterflies) ability to build their shells because it makes calcium carbonate, a key shell building block, less available.
Learning Objectives
- Calcium carbonate is an important building block for pteropods and other shellfish.
- Ocean acidification is lessening the amount of calcium carbonate available which can weaken shells and affect the food web.
Module IV - Senseless Salmon!
About Module IV
This game will help players understand the impacts ocean acidification has on marine life, specifically salmon. Ocean acidification dulls salmon’s ability to smell. Salmon use their sense of smell to migrate and detect predators.
Learning Objectives
- Ocean acidification can affect animal physiology, specifically it has been found to dull a salmon’s sense of smell.
Education and Outreach
Education and outreach are vital to improving the public’s awareness and understanding of ocean acidification. This includes not only increasing the general awareness that ocean acidification is happening now, but also understanding the current scientific knowledge and impacts of our ocean’s changing chemistry.
