The 'Coasts for Kids' animations is a young kids and family-friendly video series for all ages to learn why coasts are important, how do beaches and dunes work, how do people affect them, and what can we do about it. The episodes cover KS2 educational and environmental messages allowing everyone to understand, enjoy, and care for our coasts.
Our partnership with children, families, teachers, community writers and illustrators will transport you to a world...
...where imagination meets science!
All Videos
How can I use 'Coasts for Kids'?
The aim of the animations is to maximise kids' abilities to link ideas and develop their own understanding of coastal environments.
Everyone is welcome to use and share the series, add the videos to their class material, or enjoy it at home with their families! The educational series is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial ShareAlike Licence 4.0 [https://creativecommons.org/licences/by-nc-sa/4.0/legalcode].
You can also find and download the video from:
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The Southport Eco Centre - https://www.southportecocentre.com/
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Coast and Ocean Collective - https://coastalhub.science/
What are the videos about?
Episode 1 - What is the Coast?
E1 defines 'coasts' and their significance for biodiversity, resources, and well-being. We describe increasing population densities around the worlds' coastlines, and the pressure people can exert on coastal environments. We also refer to global concerns such as storminess and rising sea levels and introduce kids to coastal squeeze, erosion, and flooding.
Episode 2 - Our coasts like moving
E2 shows a simplified version of sandy coastline response to storms and aims to provide children with a basic understanding of coastal morphodynamics. We explain storm surges and use Bar and Dune-protecting Superheroes to elaborate on sandy coastlines, natural defence mechanisms against big waves, and the capacity to rebuild themselves following storms.
E3 introduces kids to processes operating at the regional scale. We show various coastal environments (e.g., cliffs, marshes, etc.) and explain that the sea connects them in extensive coastal networks. We define concepts such as sediment and longshore drift.
Episode 3
Our coasts are connected
Episode 4
How do people affect the coast?
E5 encourages children to think critically and develop their understanding of human impacts at various temporal and spatial scales, including coastal squeeze, flooding, erosion, and more.
Episode 5 - We need to plan!
E5 explains several key coastal management concepts and the benefits of understanding that coastal areas are dynamic systems when it comes to coastal planning. We close the series with brief references to coastal engineering, coastal communities, and the importance of local conditions and biodiversity.
C4K Series Trailer