Using real-time body tracking and 3D interaction, learners experience how sea otter loss can trigger urchin overgrazing, kelp decline and ecosystem collapse. They then explore how restoration can help the forest recover.
Learning intention
Understand how relationships within a kelp forest influence its ability to grow, withstand disruption and recover.
Trace how change moves through a kelp forest, identify its benefits for the ocean and people, and suggest an action that supports both.
Begin to recognise a kelp forest as an inter-connected system where changing one relationship can reshape the whole ecosystem.
Begin to develop a sense of connection, vulnerability and informed hope through the forest’s collapse and recovery.
The experience
Explore. Investigate. Reflect. Create.
01 · Explore Enter the forest15 mins
Enter the forest and get curious.
Divide the four videos among your group. As you watch, notice:
- What do you notice about life in the kelp forest?
- How do sea urchins and sea otters affect kelp differently?
Once you've watched, come back together and discuss:
- What might happen to the forest if sea otters disappear?
- What are you curious to investigate in the game?
02 · Investigate Look behind the game15 mins
Play through the lens of a scientist.
Become kelp, move with the forest and experience changing conditions. As the ecosystem responds, investigate:
- What changes first?
- Which relationships help the forest remain resilient?
- What drives the shift from kelp forest to urchin barren?
- What conditions support recovery?
Use a laptop or desktop with a webcam, positioned so a player's whole body is in frame. Phones and tablets are not supported.
03 · Reflect What did you discover?15 mins
Pause and make sense of the experience.
Reflect independently, then compare your thinking with someone else.
- What did you experience that changed how you think about kelp forests?
- Which cause-and-effect relationship now feels most important?
- What are you curious to investigate further?
04 · Create Connect the kelp forest15 mins
How does a healthy kelp forest help both the ocean and people?
In groups of 2–3, use the kelp forest drawing starter in the Learner Activity. Colour the forest and add animals, labels and other details that show how life is connected. Then add:
- animals and plants that depend on kelp
- ways kelp forests help people
- threats that can damage the forest
- actions that could help it recover
Draw lines between ideas. Label each connection with a phrase such as provides a home for, protects, depends on, damages or helps recover.
Discuss
- Which benefit matters most to ocean life?
- Which benefit matters most to people?
- Could helping people ever harm the forest?
- What could we do to support both?
Finish this sentence:
We would __________ because it would
help __________ and __________.
Further reading