Students will launch the ocean acidification investigation by experiencing a short simulated seawater challenge, examining authentic pH testing methods and sample data from a university partner, and generating initial evidence-based claims and questions that will guide later method design and analysis.

Students will investigate possible causes of changing ocean pH by refining an investigable question, building chemistry understanding of acids, bases, hydrogen ions, and the carbonate buffer system, and designing a peer-reviewed method for simulated seawater testing. They will use case study evidence and sample data to justify a testable hypothesis, create an evidence-traceable data table, and complete a methodology checkpoint before moving into data collection.

Students will turn their investigation results into evidence-based explanations by graphing pH data, interpreting patterns and anomalies, connecting chemistry to ecosystem and community impacts, and refining a public-facing case study brief and poster through peer feedback before a graded conclusion checkpoint.

Students will present their Ocean Chemistry and Community case study brief and poster to an authentic audience, explain how pH evidence and carbonate chemistry connect to ecosystem and community impacts, respond to questions using evidence from their investigation notebook, and complete a peer reflection chart naming one academic strength, one collaboration habit to keep, and one next step for improving their explanation.