Bring your students into the Pacific Northwest to discover how the ocean acts like a carbon sponge and its effects on salmon and plankton that fuel the ecosystem. This toolkit utilizes effective communication strategies to convey the significance of ocean acidification effects and empower mitigation actions within communities. Tested in classrooms, this toolkit increased ocean acidification literacy for ages 9 and older. Students can become OA Ambassadors as they apply what they know toward ocean acidification solutions.
The toolkit includes four NGSS aligned modules that can be used independently or together. Each module includes the ocean acidification literacy goal, a value that can be used to better engage or connect with students, discussion guide, and solutions students can take part. In addition, an optional script that uses specific language will guide the instructor in successful and effective ocean acidification dialogue.
| Module | Description |
| I. Our Ocean: The Giant Sponge | Students learn how the ocean absorbs carbon dioxide and the difference between regular and uncontrolled amounts through a guided demonstration. |
| II. Our Changing Ocean | Students make the connection between carbon dioxide in the ocean and increased acidity. With a simple experiment, they compare ocean acidity now with the past. |
| III. Swim, Snack, Sink | Students learn about the impacts of increased acidity on the plankton that feed the food web through an interactive activity. |
| IV. Senseless Salmon! | Students understand the impacts of ocean acidification on a salmon’s ability to smell to migrate and avoid predators through a game. |
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration / Ocean Acidification Program (NOAA / OAP), July 2026. More information.
