Ocean and Climate Change
Are you a teacher trainer looking to equip educators with the tools to teach about the ocean’s role in climate change? Ocean and Climate Change is a professional development workshop designed to help teachers explore key climate science concepts through hands-on experiments and an inquiry-based approach.
Why use this Professional Development Activity?
Empowering Educators to Teach Climate Science
This resource provides trainers with a structured workshop that enables teachers to investigate climate change’s impact on the ocean. Through carefully designed experiments, participants explore glacier and sea ice melting, sea level rise, thermal expansion, and ocean acidification, helping them address common student misconceptions.
A Hands-On, Inquiry-Based Approach
Participants engage in experimentation and inquiry-based learning, reinforcing their ability to design and lead student-centered investigations. They conduct experiments to visualize the effects of CO₂ dissolution in water, the albedo effect, and changes in marine biodiversity—experiences that strengthen their pedagogical skills.
Building Scientific Understanding for the Classroom
By examining climate feedback loops, marine ecosystems, and ocean-atmosphere interactions, teachers gain a deeper understanding of climate change’s consequences. The resource also includes extensions on thermal inertia and ocean currents, providing trainers with additional content for more advanced workshops.
Key Points
- Turnkey Training Resource – A structured, multi-phase workshop guiding trainers through inquiry-driven climate education.
- Scientific Accuracy – Rooted in climate science concepts such as positive feedback loops, albedo, and ocean acidification.
- Interactive and Engaging – Teachers participate in hands-on experiments that can be adapted for student learning.
- Scalable for Different Training Contexts – Suitable for both in-person and remote training, with options for deeper exploration.
This workshop equips teacher trainers with practical methodologies to enhance climate education, ensuring that educators are confident and well-prepared to teach the complexities of ocean and climate science.
