Digital Explorer, a London-based social enterprise, has created free resources and lessons for secondary schools to celebrate World Oceans Day on June 8.

Pupils can gain an insight into how current scientific research is conducted in one of the most harsh and fragile environments on our planet - the Arctic Ocean.

The resource materials are based on three scientific expeditions to the Arctic with the Catlin Arctic Survey over 2009-11, where scientist and explorer teams camped on the frozen sea ice and collected data on the changes occurring in the region.

Pupils will replicate the work of the scientists, exploring the topic of ocean acidification and bringing current research and an understanding of oceans topics to the classroom.

Ocean acidification is known as ‘the other CO₂ problem’ – data is showing that the increased rate of CO₂ entering the atmosphere is also being mirrored in the oceans, at a rate not seen for 300 million years.

The effect of increased absorption of CO₂ into the oceans is lowering the pH. Much scientific research is ongoing with regards to possible impacts.

To download your free science lesson suitable for Years 6-9 (ages 11-14), and free classroom poster, visit the Digital Explorer website.

The lesson is part of the Digital Explorer Oceans education programme, supporting schools bring oceans learning to the classroom. The programme links to the National Curriculum and was a finalist at the Education Resource Awards 2012 for Best Secondary Resource with ICT.

1 May 2012