December 26, 2025

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Overview and Purpose

MACAN (the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network) is a network of researchers, educators, decision-makers, industry representatives, policy experts, and federal, state, local, and tribal leaders whose mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of the effects of coastal and ocean acidification (COA) and promote regional collaboration to advance this knowledge.

This “Coastal Acidification in the Classroom” curriculum was created to provide teachers and students with ready-to-use resources and activities to explore ocean and coastal acidification.

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Overview of the MACAN Curriculum for Teachers

This curriculum was developed by the Mid-Atlantic Coastal Acidification Network (MACAN) to help teachers bring coastal and ocean acidification into the classroom in clear, practical ways. It provides complete lesson plans, hands-on activities, and data-driven investigations that support student inquiry while aligning with Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS).

Designed for high school classrooms, the lessons can be taught as a full unit or selected individually to fit existing course needs.

Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

Ocean acidification is an excellent lens to apply the skills and concepts promoted by NGSS, a set of scientific teaching and learning objectives embraced by schools across the country. This curriculum offers opportunities for student inquiry as they explore the crosscutting concepts, science and engineering practices, and disciplinary core ideas described in the Next Generation Science Standards.

How to Use This Curriculum

Curriculum Scope and Learning Focus

This curriculum provides an in-depth exploration of coastal and ocean acidification (COA). It begins with the carbon cycle and underlying causes of ocean acidification, considers how these initial changes in atmosphere lead to changes in ocean water quality, and investigates the results of these changes on Mid-Atlantic marine species and coastal habitats.

There are a variety of student-led investigations and opportunities for data analysis. This allows students to practice valuable inquiry skills, transferable to many types of scientific investigations. This curriculum is geared toward high school students, with tools for differentiation embedded in each unit.

Classroom-Ready and Flexible Design

This curriculum was developed by teachers and informal educators with the contributions of experts in this scientific field. Thus it includes complete, modifiable lesson plans, slide presentations, student worksheets and answer keys, complete and accessible supply lists, and more.

While in certain electives, a teacher may wish to use this series of lessons in its entirety, we recognize that curricular restraints may only allow a teacher to use a few of these lessons in core science classes. This will work. Please refer to the table of contents and summaries below, to determine which lessons are most useful in your classroom!

Curriculum Overview

Curriculum Overview, MACAN Coastal and Ocean Acidification videos

This section introduces the curriculum and key concepts in ocean acidification through background reading and short videos. It includes NGSS-aligned questions and transcripts that can be used in class or for flipped learning.

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The Carbon Cycle Game and CO₂ Sources and Sinks

Students learn how carbon moves through Earth’s systems and how emissions affect atmospheric CO₂. An interactive game helps reinforce sources and sinks through hands-on participation.

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Introduction to Ocean Acidification

Students explore how increased atmospheric CO₂ changes ocean pH and water chemistry. Demonstrations and guided activities help introduce the foundational processes behind ocean acidification.

Hello Title 1

Students explore how increased atmospheric CO₂ changes ocean pH and water chemistry. Demonstrations and guided activities help introduce the foundational processes behind ocean acidification.

students about title

Students explore how increased atmospheric CO₂ changes ocean pH and water chemistry. Demonstrations and guided activities help introduce the foundational processes behind ocean acidification.

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Chemistry of Ocean Acidification

Through hands-on lab activities, students investigate the chemical reactions that drive ocean acidification. These labs also introduce how changes in chemistry affect shell formation in marine organisms.

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Coastal Acidification

Students compare ocean and coastal acidification using data and infographics. The lesson emphasizes how estuaries and coastal waters experience different conditions than the open ocean.

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Biological Impacts

Students examine data on Mid-Atlantic species to understand how decreasing pH affects growth, reproduction, and survival. They connect changes in chemistry to impacts on living organisms.

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Bivalve Data Analysis

Students work individually and in groups to analyze data related to bivalve health. The lesson focuses on interpreting evidence and drawing conclusions about the effects of dissolved CO₂.

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The Case of the Vanishing Scallops

Students investigate the decline of bay scallop populations through a real-world case study. The lesson highlights the challenges of identifying causes in complex environmental systems.

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Explore the Curriculum

Browse the curriculum lessons below to access complete lesson plans, labs, videos, and student materials.

Section 2 – The Carbon Cycle Game and CO2 Sources and Sinks

Students learn how carbon moves through Earth’s systems and how emissions affect atmospheric CO₂. An interactive game helps reinforce sources and sinks through hands-on participation.

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Section 1 – Curriculum Overview and MACAN Video Series

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Get Involved

If you are interested in learning more about MACAN and the work we do, please sign up for our monthly newsletter. You can also read our 2024 to 2028 Work Plan.

View Macan's 2024-2028 Work plan