Activity Introduction
Quick summary: This lesson incorporates clips from Blue The Film as learning inspiration. Students explore some of the ways humans have impacted on our ocean. They begin by sharing what they already know about the impacts of humans on marine ecosystems and species. Students then explore in more depth how humans impact oceans through waste and pollution, coastal development, overfishing and ocean change. Finally, students will work in groups to create their own guided discussion around additional clips from Blue, taking it in turns to then share their clips and guided discussions with the class.
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 intentions:
- Students understand that the health of our oceans is under threat from human behaviour.
- Students recognise a range of ways that humans have impacted the ocean.
- Students understand how to create a guided discussion around a clip in order to lead their audience to a particular understanding or issue raised in the clip.
21st century skills:
Australian Curriculum Mapping
Content descriptions:
Year 7 Science
- Solutions to contemporary issues that are found using science and technology, may impact on other areas of society and may involve ethical considerations (ACSHE120)
Syllabus outcomes: SC4-11PW.
General capabilities: Critical and creative thinking.
Cross-curriculum priority: Sustainability OI.2, OI.9.
Relevant parts of Year 7 Science achievement standards: Students predict the effect of human and environmental changes on interactions between organisms.
Topic: Blue The Film, Ocean Conservation, Sustainability.
Unit of work: Blue The Film – Science – Year 7 & 8
Time required: 120 mins +
Level of teacher scaffolding: Medium – lead students in guided discussion.
Resources required: Student Worksheet – one copy per student. Device capable of presenting a website to the class. String, masking tape or chalk. Guided Discussion Rubric.
Keywords: Blue The Film, ocean conservation, human impacts, waste, pollution, coastal development, overfishing, ocean change.
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
