6th–8th

Ocean Sciences Curriculum Sequence for Grades 6–8: The Ocean-Atmosphere Connection and Climate Change (OSS 6–8)

Ocean Sciences Curriculum Sequence for Grades 6–8 Unit 1
Ocean Sciences Curriculum Sequence for Grades 6–8 Unit 2
Ocean Sciences Sequence for Grades 6-8 Book Cover-unit 3

Purchase the curriculum through the Discovery Corner at Lawrence Hall of Science now! 


Climate change is arguably the defining environmental issue of our generation. It is thus increasingly necessary for every member of the global community to understand the basic underlying science of Earth’s climate system and how it is changing in order to make informed, evidence-based decisions about how we will respond individually and as a society.

This middle school curriculum builds student understanding of the inextricable interconnection between Earth’s ocean, atmosphere and climate, then leads them to tackle the complex issues surrounding the causes and effects of climate change and evaluate some possible solutions. Each unit addresses a guiding question in a sequence of sessions that support students to engage in science and engineering practices in order to build their understanding.

Our students will be better prepared to tackle the complex issues surrounding the causes and effects of climate change and evaluate some possible solutions.

  • Unit 1: How do the ocean and atmosphere interact? Students learn that  the ocean and atmosphere are closely interconnected through major Earth systems such as ocean and air currents, climate and weather patterns, the water cycle, and the flow and exchange of heat energy around the planet.
  • Unit 2: How does carbon flow through the ocean, land, and atmosphere? Students build understanding of how carbon flows between carbon reservoirs in Earth’s systems is crucial to understanding climate change.
  • Unit 3: What are the causes and effects of climate change? In this unit students explore the causes and effects of climate change as well as possible solutions.

Funded by NOAA, the Ocean Sciences Curriculum Sequences are in-depth, kit-based curriculum units that deliver rich science content correlated to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS), with an emphasis on the Practices of Science as called for in NGSS and the Framework for Science Education K-12, and significant overlap with the Common Core State Standards for English Language Arts.


Curriculum Resources

For educators using the OSS 6-8 curriculum all the resources outlined in the written curriculum can be found on the following pages ( animations, videos, and simulations for all activities in this curriculum, as well as media resources that provide more experience (as discussed on the right hand pages of the curriculum) and supplemental resources as outlined in the written Teacher’s Guide, are listed). 

Want to take a closer look at this curriculum? Here is a Curriculum Sampler (15.9 MB) and a Sample Lesson (7.9 MB pdf). for one session in the curriculum.  

Contact us for more information on curriculum implementation and professional learning opportunities.

Simulation Activities

For educators looking to deepen student understanding of fundamental climate science concepts, such as: 

  • Heat Energy and Moving Molecules
  • Density of Liquids and Ocean Currents
  • Can Climate Change affect Ocean Currents? 
  • Carbon Cycle and Climate Change

Activities have been developed that use the computer simulations embedded in the OSS 6–8: The Ocean-Atmosphere Connection and Climate Change curriculum.

Visit the Climate Simulation Activities to learn more.