Investigate species and habitats in Scotland that are under threat, diagnose what is harming them, and explore ways we can protect them to safeguard Scotland’s biodiversity.

Lesson Title: Marine Biodiversity Hospital

Duration: 60 minutes

Overview:

Dive into a fast-paced, roleplay-based lesson where learners become marine doctors and Priority Marine Features (PMFs) are the “patients.” Students diagnose threats to these species and habitats, then prescribe realistic conservation treatments. Through interactive hospital rounds, group collaboration, and structured patient files, learners develop scientific understanding, geographical thinking, and communication skills while exploring Scottish marine conservation.

Learning Intentions:

Learners will:

1. Classify PMFs and identify their habitats.
2. Understand threats and distribution patterns.
3. Propose realistic conservation strategies.
4. Communicate findings verbally through “hospital rounds.”
5. Connect PMFs to Scottish Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and current consultations.
6. Apply geographical thinking to human–environment interactions.

Success Criteria:
Learners can:

1. Describe their PMF and its habitat.
2. Identify key threats from fact sheets.
3. Recommend suitable conservation treatments.
4. Verbally summarise information during hospital rounds.**

Curriculum Links:

SCN 02-01a / SCN 3-01a: Classify living things and habitats
SCN 02-02a / SCN 3-01b: Understand human impact and threats
SOC 2-10a / SOC 3-10a: Apply geographical thinking to human–environment interactions
SOC 2-08a: Evaluate societal choices