Dive into Discovery: Year 3 Explores the Ocean

Year 3 students at Shanghai World Foreign Language Primary School International Division have been exploring the fascinating world of oceans as part of their current Unit of Inquiry . Guided by the central idea, “The ocean is a shared resource that sustains life and connects all people,” students visited the Touch the Deep Ocean: Ancient Life Evolution Exhibition to deepen their understanding through authentic exhibits and hands-on experiences.

近期，世外小学国际部三年级的同学们正围绕Ocean单元开展主题探究。在中心思想“海洋是维系生命、联结全人类的共享资源”的指引下，我们走进 “触探深海” 远古生命演化特展，在真实的展品中解锁海洋的秘密。

围绕探究线索“海洋的样貌与变迁”，我们顺着海水深度逐层 “下潜”：30 多件珍贵海洋标本，让我们认识了超深渊狮子鱼等深海 “抗压大师”，见识了不同水层的海洋样貌；邓氏鱼化石与 1:1 可触摸复原雕塑更让大家惊叹——亿万年的时光里，海洋不断变迁，生命也在深蓝中演化出万千形态。

Exploring the Ocean and Its Changes

Following the guiding questions “What oceans are like and how they change,” students explored the different layers of the ocean, discovering how marine life adapts to different depths and conditions.

Through more than 30 marine specimens, students learned about fascinating deep-sea creatures, including hadal snailfish, which have adapted to survive under extreme pressure. They also examined a Dunkleosteus fossil and a life-size, touchable reconstruction of this prehistoric fish.

These exhibits helped students understand how oceans have changed over millions of years and how marine life has evolved and adapted to changing environments.

我们一边了解海洋滋养地球万物的重要作用，一边思考：人类如何利用海洋、依赖海洋。原始海洋孕育了地球上最早的生命，人类的演化基因里藏着来自海洋的印记。科学家通过古生物化石破解生命演化密码，我们的日常生活也与海洋资源紧密相依，海洋是所有生命共同的摇篮。

Understanding Our Connection to the Ocean

Students were encouraged to explore the important role oceans play in supporting life on Earth while thinking about the question “How people use and depend on the oceans?” 

Students discovered that the earliest forms of life emerged in ancient oceans and learned how scientists use fossils to understand the evolution of living things. They also explored how humans continue to depend on ocean resources in their everyday lives.

Through these discoveries, students developed a deeper understanding of the connections between oceans, living things and people, recognising that the ocean plays an essential role in sustaining life on our planet.

展览尾声 “回归自然” 展区，则紧扣探究线索：我们肩负保护海洋的责任。微塑料甚至能侵入万米深海的科普，让同学们深刻意识到：人类活动的影响能抵达海洋最深处，守护这片蔚蓝，是我们每个人不可推卸的责任。

Taking Responsibility for Protecting Our Oceans

The final part of the exhibition, Return to Nature, connected directly to “Our responsibility to protect the oceans.”

Students learned about the impact of human activities on marine environments, including how microplastics have been found even in the deepest parts of the ocean. This discovery encouraged them to reflect on how everyday choices can affect marine ecosystems, even those thousands of metres below the surface.

The experience reinforced the importance of taking responsibility for protecting our oceans and encouraged students to consider what actions they can take to make a positive difference.

本次深海探究之旅让大家对Ocean单元中心思想有了更鲜活的理解。海洋是全人类共享的宝贵资源，它联结着生命的过去，也关乎着我们的未来。小小探究者们也将带着这份收获，继续探索海洋、做深蓝的小小守护者。

This visit provided Year 3 students with a meaningful opportunity to extend their learning beyond the classroom and develop a deeper understanding of the unit's central idea.

Through observing, questioning and making connections, students discovered that oceans not only support an incredible diversity of life but also connect people and ecosystems around the world.

As they continue their inquiry, our young learners will build on these experiences, explore ways to protect marine environments and consider how their own actions can contribute to a more sustainable future.

撰文：占楚晗Lorna

摄影：国际部三年级老师Year 3 Teachers