How Can Growing Seaweed Help Mussels?
Provided by: National Science Teaching Association|Published on: May 7, 2026
Grades: 7, 8, 9, 10
Type: Lesson Plans
Subjects: Chemistry, Earth and Space Sciences
Authors: National Science Teaching Association
Region: Global, Maine
Languages: English
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 lesson, students will watch part of a 9-minute video to understand the issue of ocean acidification and shellfish, then design a solution.
- Students will understand why ocean acidification is a problem, consider the options for solutions, and discuss solutions as a class.
Teaching Materials
Preparation:
- Gather different types of shells or images of shells.
- Consider having the video ready to go and in full screen to avoid sharing the title with students and giving away a solution.
Prerequisites:
- Activate students’ prior knowledge of how humans emit carbon dioxide.
- Review the engineering process, defining the terms criteria and constraints, if necessary.
Differentiation:
- Refer to the lesson instructions for how to cater this lesson to either middle school or high school students.
Related Resources:
- Use this experiment with middle school students for a hands-on demonstration of ocean acidification.
- Learn more about the impacts of climate change on the Gulf of Maine using this module.
This resource tasks students with designing a solution to help mussels grow shells despite increasing ocean acidification. The text is clear, well-organized, and includes additional guidance in each section that addresses foundational science concepts. The text and video present an important consequence of climate change coupled with an adaptation that promotes aquaculture. This resource is recommended for teaching.
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.
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