Changing Oceans Expedition: communicating science to the public Laura Wicks & J Murray Roberts Centre for Marine Biodiversity and Biotechnology, Heriot Watt University Changing Oceans Expedition: In May 2012, the Changing Oceans Expedition visited the cold-water coral reefs of the North Atlantic on board the RRS James Cook, as part of the UK Ocean Acidification Research Programme. Here, we were examining the effect of climate-induced changes in the oceans on these deep water ecosystems. While at the Mingulay cold-water coral Reef Complex, schoolchildren from a Hebridean high school visited us to learn more about what we were up to in their own backyard. Why? For successful protection of marine environments, it is vital that the public understand the link between marine science and Scotland’s capacity to benefit from, and maintain the wellbeing of, our coasts and oceans. The voyage allowed school pupils first-hand experience of the amazing ecosystems in their offshore waters, and the opportunity to share this understanding with other pupils around the country. Who? Children and teachers from Sgoil Lionacleit, Benbecula, whose lives are intertwined with the ocean that surrounds them. How? The boat ‘Boy James’ brought the children and teachers out to spend the day with us on site, just offshore from the Isle of Barra. The expedition was funded by Heriot- Watt University and the Natural Environmental Research Council. 1 of 3