Activity Introduction
Quick summary: This lesson incorporates clips from Blue The Film as learning inspiration. Students investigate the causes of ocean warming and ocean acidification and analyse their impact on coral reefs. They begin by watching and responding to a clip about how the ocean is changing, and discuss the details of some of these changes. Using the jigsaw classroom method, students then work in groups to undertake research into ocean acidification and coral reefs, and will then work in different groups to make a scientific poster describing how increased carbon dioxide in the atmosphere affects the coral reefs. Finally, students are asked to watch another clip and to reflect on how their impressions of this clip are influenced by the scientific knowledge they acquired throughout this lesson.
Blue is a feature documentary film charting the drastic decline in the health of our oceans. With more than half of all marine life lost and the expansion of the industrialization of the seas, the film sets out the challenges we are facing and the opportunities for positive change. Blue changes the way we think about our liquid world and inspires the audience to action. Find out how to screen or download the film here. Along with the film is an ambitious global campaign to create advocacy and behaviour change through the #oceanguardian movement. To become an ocean guardian, see the website.
Learning intention:
- Students will describe how the products of combustion reactions enter the ocean and affect its chemistry.
- Students will understand how these changes impact the marine ecosystem.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 9 Science
- Chemical reactions, including combustion and the reactions of acids, are important in both non-living and living systems and involve energy transfer (ACSSU179)
- People use scientific knowledge to evaluate whether they accept claims, explanations or predictions, and advances in science can affect people’s lives, including generating new career opportunities (ACSHE160)
- Use knowledge of scientific concepts to draw conclusions that are consistent with evidence (ACSIS170)
Syllabus outcomes: SC5-16CW, SC5-13ES, SC5-7WS.
General capabilities: Critical and Creative Thinking.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.1.
Relevant parts of Year 9 Science achievement standards: Students describe examples of important chemical reactions and describe social and technological factors that have influenced scientific developments and. They use appropriate language and representations when communicating their findings and ideas to specific audiences.
Topic: Blue The Film, Ocean Conservation, Water.
Unit of work: Blue The Film – Science – Year 9 & 10.
Time required: 60 mins.
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – facilitate class discussion.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student. Device capable of presenting a clip to the class. One copy per student of the Scientific Poster Assessment Rubric.
Keywords: Blue The Film, ocean conservation, ocean acidification, ocean warming, coral bleaching, marine ecosystems.
Cool Australia and Northern Pictures would like to acknowledge the generous contributions of GoodPitch² Australia, Shark Island Institute, Documentary Australia Foundation, The Caledonia Foundation and Screen Australia in the development of these teaching resources.
Cool Australia’s curriculum team continually reviews and refines our resources to be in line with changes to the Australian Curriculum.
© 2017 Northern Pictures and Cool Australia
Teacher Preparation
