Making Waves - A UKYA Project

This new member-led project by the UK Young Academy aims to take the first steps towards incorporating an understanding of marine life and food-webs within the UK secondary school curricula.

We owe our existence to organisms that most of us rarely think about – microscopic plankton. Over millennia, these plankton transformed Earth’s atmosphere, changing it from conditions similar to Venus into an oxygen-rich system that supports life. Today, plankton contribute towards the oxygen we breathe and sustain marine food-webs, from tiny fish to blue whales. However, human activities, including climate change, are threatening plankton diversity with adverse effects on the health and sustainability of marine resources. Recognising the vital role of education in fostering ocean literacy, this project aims to embed vital knowledge about plankton ecology and the impacts of human activities within the UK senior school curricula.

Making Waves will develop innovative, inclusive learning resources through participatory storytelling and by co-creating engaging methods, ensuring that students of all backgrounds and abilities can access the information. The project will thus foster young people’s understanding and appreciation of marine ecosystems, empowering the next generation to continue the vital work of conserving and restoring our oceans for the future health of our planet.