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Discover key Ocean ecosystems, why the Ocean is important to all life on Earth, Ocean threats (like climate change and pollution) and how we can all take action to protect our Ocean.
View resourceAdaption in the Polar Environment
- Ages 7 - 11
- Climate change, Human interaction, Technology
- UK Curriculum
- English
- (flexible) 30 min – 1 hour
How do polar animals adapt in extreme environments like the Arctic and Antarctica? Â
In this learning resource, students go on a journey to the polar regions, exploring the remarkable adaptations of marine species that thrive in extreme conditions.
From blubber and feathers to antifreeze proteins and whiskers, learners will investigate how animals survive and how humans have borrowed these ideas through biomimicry.Â
With engaging activities, creative design tasks and inquiry-based learning, students connect polar science to real-world issues like climate change and rising sea levels.Â
True to our Ocean Generation approach, this resource avoids fear-driven messaging — instead sparking curiosity, inspiring creativity, and empowering action.Â
Students will:Â
- Learn how polar species adapt to survive cold and harsh environmentsÂ
- Explore biomimicry links between nature and everyday human innovationsÂ
- Investigate the impacts of climate change on polar regions and speciesÂ
- Design their own adapted polar creatureÂ
- Connect Ocean health to their own daily lives and choices
Learning resource details
All resources created by Ocean Generation are backed by Science.Â
We steer clear of fear-mongering and, instead, provide science-backed facts, spark curiosity and empower action.  Our resources are designed to be seamlessly integrated across multiple subjects, improve Ocean literacy and connect classroom topics to real-world environmental issues.
Please leave feedback below so we can continue providing resources that are relevant and engaging to your students. Support our charitable mission here.Â
This Ocean learning resource supports teaching in:Â
- Science: Adaptation, inheritance, ecosystemsÂ
- Geography: Polar environments, human–environment interactionÂ
- Citizenship: Climate change, sustainability, environmental responsibility
Students will:Â
- Describe adaptations of polar species
- Recognise climate change as a threat to polar ecosystems
- Understand biomimicry
- Explore how humans use biomimicry to solve challenges
- Strengthen creative thinking and problem-solving
- Connect personal choices to global Ocean healthÂ
This resource includes:Â
- Teacher resource with context and ideas
- Workshop presentation and teacher facilitation notes for the presentation
- Student activities (creature design, inquiry tasks, biomimicry extension)
- An introduction video about why Antarctica is important
Related SDG Goals
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Resources
- Presentation: Ages 7 - 11: Adaptions in the Polar Environment (PDF)
- Teacher Resource: Ages 7 - 11: Adaptions in the Polar Environment (PDF)
- Facilitation Notes: Ages 7 - 11: Adaptions in the Polar Environment (PDF)
- Extension Activity: Ages 7 - 11: Biomimicry (PDF)
- Importance of Antarctica (Video)
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