Making Waves

This project aims to take the first steps towards incorporating an understanding of marine life and food webs into the UK secondary school curricula.

Why?

We owe our existence to organisms that most of us rarely think about: microscopic plankton. Over millennia, these plankton transformed Earth’s atmosphere, changing it from conditions similar to Venus into an oxygen-rich system that supports life. Today, plankton contribute towards the oxygen we breathe and sustain marine food webs, from tiny fish to blue whales.

However, human activities, including climate change, are threatening plankton diversity with adverse effects on the health and sustainability of marine resources. Recognising the vital role of education in fostering ocean literacy, the Making Waves project aims to embed vital knowledge about plankton ecology and the impacts of human activities within the UK senior school curricula.

How?

Making Waves will develop innovative, inclusive learning resources. These will be developed through participatory storytelling and by co-creating engaging methods, ensuring that students of all backgrounds and abilities can access the information.

Therefore, the project will foster young people’s understanding and appreciation of marine ecosystems. Through this, we hope to empower the next generation to continue the vital work of conserving and restoring our oceans for the future health of our planet.

Key project outcomes

• Reviewing the curriculum:  Reviewing UK senior school curricula will identify opportunities to integrate marine ecology across subjects — from sciences to arts and humanities; This will equip students of all interests with an understanding of ocean life’s importance and empower them to sustain and nurture it through new and innovative approaches.
• Inclusive teaching methods: Developing inclusive, accessible teaching methods will ensure that all students — including those with additional support needs — have equal access to quality ocean education, fostering deeper understanding and appreciation for marine life.
• Lesson plans: Working with secondary school teachers across all disciplines, the project will develop lesson plans that introduce essential concepts related to marine biodiversity, ecology, ocean health, and sustainability, with a particular emphasis on the impacts of climate change.

Want to get involved?

If you would like to connect with the project team or have any questions, please reach out to us at enquiries@ukyoungacademy.org.