🌊 Virtual Urchin Ocean Acidification Lab

Engage your students in a real-world, data-driven investigation of ocean acidification with this interactive Virtual Urchin Lab, based on an authentic research experience from The University of Washington.

In this high-interest virtual lab, students explore how decreasing ocean pH impacts sea urchin larval development by measuring larval arm length under different carbon dioxide conditions. This simulation allows students to collect quantitative data, analyze trends, and draw evidence-based conclusions about the biological impacts of climate change on marine organisms.

This activity brings cutting-edge marine science research directly into your classroom—without the need for lab equipment.

🧪 What Students Will Do

✔ Manipulate ocean pH levels in a virtual environment
✔ Measure sea urchin larval arm lengths using digital tools
✔ Record and organize quantitative data
✔ Analyze patterns between CO₂ levels and organism development
✔ Answer critical thinking and CER-style analysis questions
✔ Connect results to real-world ocean acidification impacts

📦 What’s Included:

📝 Student Worksheet

• Guided data collection tables
  
• Structured analysis questions
  
• Graphing component
  
• Claim-Evidence-Reasoning prompts
  

✔ Detailed Teacher Answer Key

• Completed data tables
  
• Sample graph
  
• Model responses for analysis questions
  

🖥 Direct access to the virtual lab platform

🎯 Skills & Concepts Addressed

• Ocean acidification
  
• Carbon dioxide and pH chemistry
  
• Impacts of climate change on marine organisms
  
• Experimental design
  
• Data analysis and interpretation
  
• Scientific modeling
  
• Evidence-based reasoning
  

🧠 NGSS Alignment

HS-LS2-6 – Evaluate claims about the complex interactions in ecosystems.
HS-ESS2-2 – Analyze geoscience data to make claims about changes to Earth systems.
HS-ESS3-5 – Analyze geoscience data and results from global climate models to forecast climate change impacts.

Science & Engineering Practices: Analyzing & interpreting data, constructing explanations, engaging in argument from evidence.

🧪 Perfect For:

Marine Science
Oceanography
Earth & Environmental Science
Climate Change Units
Biology Extensions
Sub plans or digital learning days

✨ This virtual lab gives students an authentic research experience while building critical data literacy and climate science understanding.

Marine Science Made Simple
Designed for teachers. Built for understanding.