Marine Adaptations in a Changing Climate

Marine Adaptations in a Changing Climate

How does climate change impact the adptations of marine species?

From body shape and behaviour to specialised features, marine species have adaptations that help them survive in their environments. In this facilitated program, students investigate how marine species are adapted to their environments and what happens when those environments change. 

Students explore local, real-world examples from the WA coast through a range of hands-on activities designed to develop and hone their scientific and investigative skills.

Student experience

Students will: 

• Identify some adaptations of marine creatures that enable them to survive
• Investigate the impacts of climate change on marine life, in particular warming oceans and ocean acidification
• Use scientific data and evidence to predict how marine species may respond to environmental change.

Program feedback:

"Amazing interactive experiences and hands on activities for the students."

"Engaging facilitator and a range of interactive activities to interest the students. Added to the biological science topics we have been working on. It was very engaging and interactive."

Curriculum Links

Programs at the WA Museum support teachers in their delivery of the WA Curriculum. This program links to the following strands of the Western Australian Curriculum:

Year 5

• Science
  Biological sciences: Living things have structural features and adaptations that enable their survival in their environment (WA5SSUB1)
  Science Inquiry:
  • Questioning and predicting: Pose testable questions that include variables to be measured and changed, and apply science knowledge to make predictions (WA5SSIQ1)
  • Collaborating and applying: Use science knowledge to develop considered responses to problems, at a local and global level, through investigation and research (WA5SSICL1)

Year 6

• Science
  Biological sciences: The growth and survival of living things are affected by the changing conditions in their environment and the influence of human activities (WA6SSUB1)
  Science Inquiry:
  • Questioning and predicting: Pose testable questions that include variables to be measured and changed, and apply science knowledge to make predictions (WA6SSIQ1)
  • Collaborating and applying: Use science knowledge to develop considered responses to problems, at a local and global level, through investigation and research (WA5SSICL1)

Year 9

• Science
  Biological sciences: Plants and animals have structural, behavioural and physiological adaptations that enable their survival in their environment (WA9SSUB1)
  Science Inquiry:
  • Questioning and predicting: Propose investigable questions and hypotheses to test relationships and develop explanatory models (WA6SSIQ1)
  • Processing, modelling and analysing: 
    • Analyse and connect a variety of data and information to explain patterns, relationships and anomalies, and draw conclusions based on evidence (WA9SSIPR2)
    • Construct arguments based on anaylsis of a variety of evidence to support conclusions or evaluate claims (WA9SSIE2)

All facilitated workshops are led by the Museum’s experienced Learning and Engagement team and have been curated using the Museum’s unique resources to provide a deeper learning experience in our specialist subject areas.

Your booking for a facilitated workshop will include all materials and activities for the duration of the program with no prior preparation required.

As part of all facilitated workshop bookings, you are welcome to explore the rest of the Museum free of charge pre or post workshop and do not need to make any additional bookings to do so.  WA Museum Boola Bardip is open daily from 9.30am to 5pm, with last entry at 4pm.