Science Ocean Lifeusually ages 11–12

Ocean Currents and Global Heat

Explain thermohaline circulation (the global conveyor belt) as driven by temperature and salinity differences that cause dense water to sink; describe how the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) transfers heat from the tropics toward Europe; explain that oceans absorb more than 90% of excess heat and ~25% of CO2 from human emissions; explore what would happen to Northern European climates if circulation weakened

Try this together

Can your child explain why the UK has mild winters compared to parts of Canada at similar latitudes — what does ocean circulation have to do with it, and what might change if that circulation slows down?

Where this sits on the map

Stuck here? Check the skills it builds on first. Confident? Here’s what it unlocks.

Builds on

Oceans & Climateages 9–11Thermohaline circulation mechanics depends on ocean and climate connections

Ocean Currents and Global Heatthis skill · ages 11–12

Unlocks

Coral Bleaching & Acidificationages 12–13Coral reef bleaching and ocean acidification depends on understanding thermohaline circulation and ocean heat dynamics

solid = must come firstdashed = helps

Curriculum alignment

Candidate matches to official curriculum codes — machine-suggested, unreviewed (v0.1).

This skill sits outside the F–6 Australian Curriculum — no candidate code matched (v0.1). No NSW K–6 outcome code matched (v0.1). No Victorian Curriculum 2.0 code matched (v0.1).

Nearby on the map

Deep-Sea Life Without Sunlightages 11–13 Coral Bleaching & Acidificationages 12–13 Predator Loss and Ecosystem Effectsages 12–14 Deep-Ocean Exploration Technologyages 13–14

All Ocean Life skills →