Climate Classroom Brings Science to Life for Middle School Students

Students explore climate science through tech, data, and discovery

The Bermuda Institute of Ocean Sciences' Ocean Academy successfully hosted its third annual Climate Classroom for middle school students across the island. A total of 256 students and educators from public and private institutions participated, resulting in a broad representation across Bermuda’s middle school community. 

The Climate Classroom offered students a hands-on science experience, introducing them to the latest research and helping them better understand changes happening in Earth's ocean and climate systems.

The Climate Classroom was made possible through the exclusive donor support of HSBC Bank Bermuda Limited (HSBC). This program is part of the broader Ocean Academy initiative, which aims to expand local students' access to scientific knowledge, foster essential discovery and technical skills, and increase awareness of the essential research taking place at ASU BIOS. 

A spokesperson from HSBC noted that this program was perfectly placed to leverage HSBC’s commitment to the environment and education, “Bermuda’s future climate champions are here throughout the island’s schools. This program is providing students with the knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of the future while inspiring young people to protect the environment and build climate resilience.” 

Kaitlin Noyes, director of education and community engagement, said, “Students engaged in an in-depth exploration of ocean productivity systems, working together to examine how these systems are connected to climate change. They constructed comparative graphs, analyzed data on nutrient cycles, and drew their own evidence-based conclusions about climate impacts.” 

Through carefully curated data-driven activities and mixed reality challenges, students demonstrated curiosity and enthusiasm as they explored and interpreted complex climate mechanisms. Sandy’s Secondary Middle School teacher, Ms. Apopa, said that the Climate Classroom “opened her students’ eyes to the intersection of marine science and technology” and added that the experience excited her students to continue learning.

Students gained valuable insights into real-time climate data and expertise by conducting this program within an active research institution. Rooted in ASU BIOS’s ongoing oceanic and atmospheric research, students participated in an immersive, three-part climate investigation across the campus. Visualizing greenhouse gas contributions, analyzing ocean temperature data from the Bermuda Atlantic Time-series Study (BATS), and applying their findings through a hands-on experiment to observe how temperature influences the behavior of water molecules. Direct engagement with the data deepened student understanding of climate science and helped them develop the skills needed to make informed decisions about managing future changes.

This hands-on approach resonates with students like Salem, a participant from Warwick Academy, who shared that he “really liked learning new facts about climate change” and valued “developing new skills to protect our environment.” He added that “it’s important to learn about climate change when you're young” so that when older, “you can help solve bigger problems.”

This program aims to equip students with the tools, data, and collaborative skills needed to tackle complex challenges. Students gathered clues about how warming impacts nutrient cycles, examined how energy moves between ocean depths, and analyzed how warming disrupts essential marine ecosystems. 

Techniques such as an augmented reality scavenger hunt revealed crucial insights into the effects of climate change on marine species, while the immersive “Drop in the Ocean” virtual reality experience allowed students to see microscopic ecosystems and understand how they are threatened. 

Through these mixed media tools, students gained a deeper understanding of the critical role marine species play in maintaining ocean health, the broader ecological balance, and the interconnections and broader-scale impacts of climate change.

This program goes beyond traditional education, allowing students to push the boundaries of learning while empowering them with transferable skills that will benefit them in all aspects of life. More importantly, it instills a sense of urgency and responsibility regarding environmental issues while furnishing them with the skills and confidence to take meaningful action.

In a world where science plays a crucial role in shaping our future, ASU BIOS is committed to fostering a passion for science from an early age. “Through our partnership with Arizona State University (ASU), our local education programs are becoming stronger, and we are entering a new wave of educational development,” said Dr. Rosemarie McMahon, director of advancement at ASU BIOS. “These programs serve as a sustainable source of support for educators, and we will continue to ensure that local students have access to creative, hands-on learning experiences that inspire curiosity and prepare them for the future.”

The Climate Classroom provides students with unique learning opportunities and inspires them to envision a better future. While climate change is a reality, how we choose to respond makes all the difference. As Amaya, a student from Saltus Grammar School shared, “We need to make products that make the Earth a better place to live in for everyone.”

Open to all middle school students across Bermuda, the program introduces students to potential career paths in science and the environment. Sariel, a student attending Sandy’s Secondary Middle School encourages others to take part, highlighting that “learning at ASU BIOS is different and great because you can see what these creatures really look like.”

By exploring real-world topics, students aren’t just learning about climate change–they’re thinking critically about the future and actively imagining solutions that will shape their relationship with the environment. 

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