An Ocean of Opportunity
Provided by: EarthEcho International|Published on: January 28, 2025|Last updated: September 26, 2026
Grades: 9, 10, 11, 12, AP
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Science, Economics, Career Skills
Authors: EarthEcho International, Cathryn Berger Kaye, M.A. and Shei Ascencio, M.A. of CBK Associates
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Learn about our review process →
Synopsis
- 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 Materials
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.
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.
Teaching Tips
Standards
Resource Type and Format
Scientist Reviewed
This resource has been reviewed by SubjectToClimate's climate scientists and verified for scientific accuracy and up-to-date information. Our review process ensures that every resource in our library reflects the current state of climate science.
Learn about our review process →
