It is hard to imagine that, as humans, we could significantly change the vast expanses of the open ocean. However, as we release more and more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, it diffuses into the oceans, making them increasingly more acidic. Ocean acidification is often described as the lesser known twin of climate change. A drop in pH could endanger shelled organisms, change fish behavior and have unpredictable consequences on countless other species as well as our own society. Ocean acidification has the potential to cause devastating changes, so it is critical that we all develop more awareness of it.

In this case study, developed by students of the UMass Amherst iCons program, students can choose the topic they wish to study and do original research. Students will then communicate their original conclusions outside the classroom. By creating their own research and having a product leave the classroom, students will be invested in their work and feel like they are contributing to the global conversation about ocean acidification.

For Teachers, we have now created a SeaVuria Ocean Acidification Project Curriculum Page that outlines the Big Ideas of The Ocean Acidification Project and provides sequential lesson plans for use in your classroom! Take a look at our project page HERE.