Ocean acidification demonstrations
Simple Ocean Acidification (OA) demos you can do (almost) anywhere with (almost) no budget – In this series of videos, WSG Carbon specialist Meg Chadsey walks you through her favorite OA demonstrations. The Ocean Acidification Overview will equip you with basic information about OA chemistry; the four demonstrations each teach a key concept about OA and its consequences for marine life. Suitable for grades 8 through 12, but can be adapted for upper elementary students and general audiences.
Ocean Acidification Overview (20 min video)
‘OA 101’ for educators, communicators and their audiences. Download slide deck including additional background information and links.
Demo 1: A Tale of Two Acids (9 min video)
Compare what happens when a familiar acid (lemon juice) and an acidifying gas (carbon dioxide) are added to a pH indicator solution. Download a Tale of Two Acids Protocol.
Demo 2: Hold Your Breath (10 min video)
Participants experience how a relatively small decrease in seawater pH can have a big impact on living organisms. Download Hold Your Breath Protocol.
Demo 3: Shells on Acid (12 min video)
Illustrates why organisms with calcium carbonate shells and skeletons are vulnerable to ocean acidification. Download Shells on Acid Protocol.
Demo 4: Crossing Thresholds (7 min video)
Why marine organisms can tolerate variability, but still be vulnerable to ocean acidification. Download Crossing Thresholds Protocol.
Ocean acidification classroom activities
A Tale of Two Stressors : Ocean Acidification in a Warming World (lesson)
An OA lesson based on University of Washington research about the combined impacts of OA and increasing ocean temperatures on mussels in the Pacific Northwest. Suitable for middle and high school students.
Seagrass Wars: The Spots Awaken (4.5 minute animated video and learning activities)
Project investigators collaborated with science communicator Tullio Rossi of Animate Your Science on an animated short to share this exciting research with broader audiences. The 4.5 minute video Seagrass Wars: The Spots Awaken tells the story of Simon the Salmon and his intrepid oyster friends, who become alarmed when mysterious spots threaten the health of their beloved eelgrass home, and hatch a plan to fight back. Will they prevail, or will the spots gain the upper hand? Time (and research) will tell… but in the meantime, learn about oyster superpowers and catch up on the latest eelgrass wasting disease science. Then take The Sequel Challenge and let us know how you think eelgrass will fare in a warming world. Learners of all ages will enjoy the interesting and inspiring content on this page, and educators will find age-appropriate resources to share with their students. Suitable for grades 2-8.
It’s Not Easy Being Shelled: the Ocean Acidification Blues (53 minute presentation with ASL interpreter)
Carbon specialist Meg Chadsey demonstrates how OA is stressing her favorite local shellfish species—oysters—and explains why some shellfish farmers are turning to kelp for help. Suitable for grades 2-8.
OA Handouts
Ocean Acidification in Washington State
Suitable for readers with 8th grade level science literacy. 2-page pdf document.
20 Facts About Ocean Acidification
Suitable for readers with college level science literacy. 2-page pdf document.
Ocean Acidification in the Pacific Northwest
Suitable for readers with college level science literacy. 2-page pdf document.