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What are Marine Heatwaves? Gr. 7-12

Secondary

Description

The What Are Marine Heatwaves? research feature provides teachers with background information and climate research on the growing frequency and intensity of marine heatwaves. It explains how marine heatwaves—extended periods of abnormally warm ocean temperatures—are linked to climate change and can disrupt marine ecosystems and fisheries. The resource highlights research by scientists who investigated how ocean-atmosphere heat exchange (heat flux) contributes to the formation of marine heatwaves in the Northwest Atlantic Ocean and how better forecasting can help mitigate their impacts.

Students will:

  • investigate how heat transfers from the atmosphere to the ocean through a thermochemistry experiment

  • calculate the amount of heat transferred from warm air to water using the heat energy formula

  • analyze how rising ocean temperatures affect the stability of fisheries and marine biodiversity

  • explore the role of marine heatwaves in causing species shifts, economic losses, and habitat disruptions

  • reflect on local and global solutions that promote ocean resilience, such as marine protected areas and living shorelines

The resource provides a curriculum-aligned hands-on activity for high school students in Chemistry 12 or modified for Science 10, a student worksheet, and opportunities for discussion and future inquiry. It supports critical thinking and builds understanding of how atmospheric changes directly affect ocean systems—and by extension, people and ecosystems that rely on them.

     

General Assessment

Recommendation of how and where to use it

This resource is part of a collection of research features which bring local climate change research into the classroom. The research features enable teachers to integrate climate change into their classrooms through fun, engaging and accessible research topics. 

Discover Our Climate resources are relevant to Atlantic Canada and include curriculum-based learning activities designed for grades seven to twelve. Each feature encourages students to be curious and create solutions for the on-going climate challenges we face.

Relevant Curriculum Units

The following tool will allow you to explore the relevant curriculum matches for this resource. To start, select a province listed below.

  • Step 1Select a province
  • Alberta
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 30: Thermochemical Changes
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 30: Chemistry and the Environment
  • British Columbia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Energy is conserved and its transformation can affect living things and the environment
  • Manitoba
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Senior 2 Science: Weather Dynamics
  • New Brunswick
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 121 /122: Thermochemistry
  • Newfoundland & Labrador
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 1206: Weather Dynamics
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 2200: Weather Dynamics
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 3202:: Thermochemistry
  • Northwest Territories
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Energy is conserved and its transformation can affect living things and the environment
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 30: Thermochemical Changes
  • Nova Scotia
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10: Weather Dynamics
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 12: Thermochemistry
  • Nunavut
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Experiential Science 10, Terrestial Systems: Climatology and Meteorology
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Thermochemical Changes
  • Ontario
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science (Academic):Earth and Space Science: Climate Change
        • Science (Applied)::Earth and Space Science: Earth's Dynamic Climate
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • (College Prep.) Chemistry in the Environment
  • Prince Edward Island
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 431A: Earth and Space Science, Weather Systems
    • Grade 12
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Chemistry
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Chemistry 621A: Content Knowledge
  • Saskatchewan
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Science 10: Climate and Ecosystem Dynamics
    • Grade 11
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Physical Science 20: Heat
  • Yukon Territory
    • Step 2Select a grade level
    • Grade 10
      • Step 3Select a subject
      • Science
        • Step 4Relevant matches
        • Energy is conserved and its transformation can affect living things and the environment

Themes Addressed

Air, Atmosphere & Climate (1)

  • Climate Change

Ecosystems (1)

  • Appreciating the Natural World

Land Use & Natural Resources (1)

  • Fisheries

Water (1)

  • Marine Environments

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