An Ocean of Opportunity

Lesson Plans

Grades9, 10, 11, 12, APScience, Economics, Career Skills

Scientist Reviewed

Provided by EarthEcho International

Open Resource

What it is

In this student-facing module, students will explore the economic, technological, and career opportunities in the ocean.
Students will explore the different ocean industries, different sources of renewable energy in the ocean, aquaculture and fishing, and innovations in ocean-related biotechnology.

Teaching tips

Positives

The resource includes links to optional activities and lessons to do as a class to strengthen their understanding of the topics, listed in the final section of Chapter 4.
Each chapter features youth activists who will inspire students to take action themselves.

Prerequisites

Teachers may want to review the glossary terms with students before they begin the unit.
Students will need computers and headphones.
In Chapter 3, the second video, Why Demand for Seaweed is About to Boom, in the section Seaweed: An Introduction to Aquaculture, has a very brief reference to beer.
In Chapter 3, the first and last parts of the section Seaweed: Seaforestation and Aquaculture link to TikTok videos, which may be blocked in many schools.

Differentiation & Implementation

Students can research the impacts of climate change impacts affecting the ocean, such as ocean warming and acidification. After learning about these impacts, students can discuss how ocean industries are changed by them.
The notes that students take in the resource do not save, so teachers may want to develop a system with students to record their work in a notebook or Google Doc.
Because this resource is student-facing, it is a great option for students to use while teachers need to work one-on-one with other students on different projects.
The unit begins with students familiarizing themselves with the UN Sustainable Development Goals. To deepen student understanding of these goals, teachers can use the MIT CATE mini-unit, UN Sustainable Development Goals.
After completing the unit, students can choose a blue career of interest to research and report on to their class.

From the scientist review

Earth Echo International's interactive and data-rich website offers a quick course to learn more about the blue economy. For instructors looking to improve climate-related learning opportunities in the classroom, this exercise would be a great tool.

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At a glance

Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Subjects: Science, Economics, Career Skills
Other types: Articles/Websites, Videos, Assessments, Activity - Classroom, Interactive Media
Language: English
Location: Earth
Provider: EarthEcho International
Authors: EarthEcho International, Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A. and Shei Ascencio, M.A. of CBK Associates
Published: January 28, 2025
Last updated: July 16, 2026
: Reviewed by our climate scientists How we review

Standards alignment · HS-LS2-7. + 10 more

Core

Core Standards legacy

HS-LS2-7.HS-LS2-7. Design, evaluate, and refine a solution for reducing the impacts of human activities on the environment and biodiversity.
HS-ETS1-1.HS-ETS1-1. Analyze a major global challenge to specify qualitative and quantitative criteria and constraints for solutions that account for societal needs and wants.
HS-ETS1-2.HS-ETS1-2. Design a solution to a complex real-world problem by breaking it down into smaller, more manageable problems that can be solved through engineering.
HS-ETS1-3.HS-ETS1-3. Evaluate a solution to a complex real-world problem based on prioritized criteria and trade-offs that account for a range of constraints, including cost, safety, reliability, and aesthetics, as well as possible social, cultural, and environmental impacts.
D2.Eco.1.9-12D2.Eco.1.9-12 Analyze how incentives influence choices that may result in policies with a range of costs and benefits for different groups.
D2.Eco.15.9-12D2.Eco.15.9-12 Explain how current globalization trends and policies affect economic growth, labor markets, rights of citizens, the environment, and resource and income distribution in different nations.
D2.Eco.7.9-12D2.Eco.7.9-12 Use benefits and costs to evaluate the effectiveness of government policies to improve market outcomes.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.9-10.2 Determine a central idea of a text and analyze its development over the course of the text, including how it emerges and is shaped and refined by specific details; provide an objective summary of the text.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.2CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.9-10.2 Integrate multiple sources of information presented in diverse media or formats (e.g., visually, quantitatively, orally) evaluating the credibility and accuracy of each source.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.4CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.RI.11-12.4 Determine the meaning of words and phrases as they are used in a text, including figurative, connotative, and technical meanings; analyze how an author uses and refines the meaning of a key term or terms over the course of a text (e.g., how Madison defines faction in Federalist No. 10).
HS-LS4-D.2.HS-LS4-D.2. Humans depend on the living world for the resources and other benefits provided by biodiversity. But human activity is also having adverse impacts on biodiversity through overpopulation, overexploitation, habitat destruction, pollution, introduction of invasive species, and climate change. Thus sustaining biodiversity so that ecosystem functioning and productivity are maintained is essential to supporting and enhancing life on Earth. Sustaining biodiversity also aids humanity by preserving landscapes of recreational or inspirational value. (secondary to HS-LS2-7), (HS-LS4-6)

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