- Naturalist and explorer Steve Backshall’s underwater broadcast brings school pupils face‑to‑face with ocean creatures, capturing the drama and movement of UK marine life in real time
- Cameras take classrooms behind the scenes at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, revealing hidden habitats and the species that depend on them
- Students will watch behaviour unfold beneath the waves and put their questions directly to Steve about the animals he meets
© Stephen Backshall
WWF’s primary schools programme ‘Happy by Nature’ is making a splash following World Oceans Day and during Great Big Green Week, with explorer and naturalist Steve Backshall with a live underwater lesson in collaboration with the Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT) to an expected 100,000 primary-aged pupils across the UK.
Building on the success of Steve’s two previous live lessons for WWF’s programme on the theme of forest and polar habitats, this lesson aims to bring even more classrooms to deep dive into the UK’s ocean habitat.
Broadcast directly from a live dive at the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth, the home of the OCT, the ‘live lesson’ with Steve will guide pupils through the extraordinary world of UK marine wildlife. Swimming alongside sharks, rays, eels and other native species, he’ll give students a rare, real‑time look at the animals that call UK seas home.
Filmed inside the Eddystone habitat, which has the largest aquarium viewing window in the UK, the lesson offers an awe-inspiring front row view of the amazing marine animals and their underwater behaviour that pupils would never normally see. As Steve encounters different species, students will witness the diversity of marine life found in our UK waters.
The lesson also takes pupils behind the scenes at the UK’s largest aquarium, revealing the hidden habitats that support ocean ecosystems. From rocky reefs to sandy sea beds, Steve will explore how these environments shape the species that live there, helping pupils understand the importance of protecting and restoring marine habitats.
A key focus of the lesson is the remarkable adaptations that allow sharks, rays, eels and other species to thrive beneath the waves. Pupils will see these adaptations in action – from the streamlined bodies of sharks to the unique movement of eels – supporting core learning in science and environmental understanding.
Interactivity remains at the heart of the experience. Pupils will be able to put their questions directly to Steve, asking about the animals he meets, his work as an explorer and the challenges facing our oceans. This live Q&A element transforms the broadcast into a dynamic, two‑way learning moment that deepens engagement.
There will also be a special pre-recorded segment of the lesson with the Seahorse Trust, where Steve goes in search of extraordinary spiney seahorses off the south coast of England.
Steve Backshall said: “Diving live with sharks, rays and eels is an incredible way to show pupils just how extraordinary our own UK seas really are. You can read about these animals in books, but seeing them glide past in real time is something completely different. I’m excited to be part of this WWF Ocean live lesson and to help inspire the next generation to protect our blue planet – it’s their curiosity and passion that will shape the future of our world.”
Jon Turner, Head of Schools & Education at WWF, said: “We’re thrilled to see so many pupils joining us for this special Great Big Green Week live lesson, and we’re incredibly grateful to Steve and the Ocean Conservation Trust for bringing the magic of the ocean directly to classrooms. Giving primary school children the chance to see UK marine species up close is an unforgettable way to spark curiosity and build a lifelong connection with nature. With our oceans under increasing pressure, helping young people understand its importance has never mattered more. This live lesson brings that message to life in a way that’s exciting, accessible and inspiring.”
Becky Dodds, Learning Programme Coordinator for the OCT, said: “The ocean has this amazing power to inspire wonder, and we find that sense of wonder is often where learning begins. Creating a meaningful connection with the ocean at a young age can have a lasting impact. We hope that this experience encourages children to ask questions, think differently about the natural world, and discover how fascinating life beneath the ocean’s surface can be. Through experiences like this, we aim to spark curiosity, nurture a sense of connection and inspire young people to see themselves as part of the ocean’s future.”
By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:
Identify key features of ocean habitats.
- Name and describe a range of marine animals and the habitats in which they live.
- Recognise how ocean animals are adapted to survive underwater.
- Understand how aquariums, scientists and conservationists help protect marine life.
- Explore what it is like to dive and observe wildlife safely in an aquarium environment.
- Reflect on why the ocean matters and identify actions people can take to care for it.
As part of Great Big Green Week, the lesson encourages primary-aged pupils to connect with nature and understand the role healthy oceans play in supporting people, wildlife and the planet. By showcasing the beauty and importance of UK seas, the session aims to inspire young people to feel curious, empowered and ready to take action for the natural world.
