Category Archives: Events

Guide to Teaching Ocean Literacy in Australia

teaching ocean literacy principles

So, what’s all this about? What is Ocean Literacy? Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you – and the influence that you have on the ocean.

When we understand the ocean we can begin to comprehend how its works, giving us the information we need to take measures to protect it. Education is at the heart of ocean literacy and this is where we as educators play a crucial role in inspiring people young and old to want to take action and make a difference, transforming ocean knowledge into action. Here’s our guide to teaching Ocean Literacy at schools…

Who Developed the Ocean Literacy Principles?

The Ocean Literacy Principles were developed in 2004 through an international community-wide consultation, with agreement with hundreds of scientists, educators and policy makers. The original purpose of the campaign was to address the lack of ocean related content in schools in the US.

The fundamental aim of the Ocean Literacy Principles is that every human being should understand basic principles about the ocean by the time they graduate high school, thus creating an ‘ocean-literate’ society.

What is the Goal of the Ocean Literacy Principles?

UNESCO has set the following goal for the 7 Ocean Literacy Principles as:

“Ocean Literacy is included in curriculum frameworks of all 193 UNESCO Member States by 2025”.

What are The Ocean Literacy Principles?

 The Ocean Literacy Principles are:

  1. The Earth has one big ocean with many features
  2. The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth
  3. The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate
  4. The ocean made the Earth habitable
  5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems
  6. The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected
  7. The ocean is largely unexplored

 

What Does Being Ocean Literate Mean?

 Being Ocean Literate Means:

  1. Understanding the essential principles and fundamental concepts about the ocean
  2. Communicating about the ocean in a meaningful way
  3. Being able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources

 

Are Many Australians Ocean Literate?

Studies show many Australians are very concerned about the ocean, with ocean plastic being the biggest concern voiced, then overfishing and other human impacts. So a lot of good work is already being done to spread the message that we need to act now to preserve the ocean for the future. Many Australians are ocean literate but a lot more still has to be done as the ocean needs our help.

Teaching Ocean Literacy in Australia

The basic principles of ocean literacy do not fall within traditional science disciplines, they instead focus on integrated science. This is because of the interdisciplinary nature of ocean sciences.

As teachers, it is our responsibility to educate children (and adults) about the ocean in a meaningful way. This can be done under the standard school curriculum themes. Our free primary resources can help you get started, or why not book in an incursion so one of our expert marine educators can teach the children about the ocean using interaction with our live marine animals. Here are some great resources to assist with planning.

Ocean Life Education Programs & Resources

Ocean Literacy resources – Australia focused

UNESCO – Ocean Literacy Teachers Area

Marine Stewardship Council of Australia

World Ocean Day – Plan Your Event

Why is the Health of the Ocean So Important?

The ocean covers most of our planet, it regulates our climate and provides the air we breathe. It also feeds us, provides jobs and livelihoods and is a tool for economic development, as well as being fun to play in! We humans need a healthy ocean in order to survive. So, the health of the ocean is critically important to us.

Click image to download PDF.

why we need a healthy ocean

Read our blog – 10 reasons why we depend on our ocean

 

Further resources

OceansIQ

Ocean and Climate Literacy – Essential principles and fundamental concepts

UNESCO – Ocean Literacy for All

20 Teaching Activities for SeaWeek 2023

seaweek 2023

 

SeaWeek 2023 will be celebrated throughout Australia from 4-12 March 2023. The SeaWeek theme this year is based around the Ocean Literacy Principle #1 : Planet Earth – The ocean (and its interconnected systems) is the defining feature of our planet (see link at foot). This is a fascinating topic and a great basis for exploring all things relating to the ocean in schools and childcare settings. So, here is some background information plus 20 teaching activities for SeaWeek 2023 that will engage and inspire kids to want to learn more about and protect the ocean.

Why is the Ocean a Defining Feature of Our Planet?

The ocean is the defining physical feature on our planet Earth as it covers most of the earth’s surface – around 70% in fact.

It is also home to the majority of life on earth and responsible for around 70% of the oxygen we breath, as well as absorbtion of carbon dioxide, climate regulation, jobs, food, waste removal, , marine transport, medicine, travel, recreation and fun. We could go on…

Do we say Ocean or Oceans?

Many people ask the question, “Do we say ocean or oceans”?  The answer is that there is just one ocean, which contains many ocean basins, such as the North Pacific, South Pacific, North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Indian, Southern and Arctic. So, we should say ‘the ocean’ rather than ‘the oceans’.

What is SeaWeek Australia?

SeaWeek Australia started in 1987 at the Marine Discovery Centre, Queenscliff, Victoria. It began as an art competition that was promoted in all states of Australia and was accompanied by an educational kit consisting of marine activities and information brochures. Today SeaWeek Australia is a major public awareness campaign focusing on encouraging an understanding of and appreciation for the ocean and all things related to it. The campaign is promoted by the Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE) – see link below.

20 Teaching Activities for SeaWeek 2023

Schools and educators can use SeaWeek Australia as a focal point for studies accross a wide range of curriculum themes. Or they can simply use the event to inspire children through fun based ocean themed activities. Here are 20 teaching activities for SeaWeek 2023 to get you started…

Early Learning Teaching Activities for SeaWeek Australia

  1. Decorate your classroom or childcare setting ocean egg carton
  2. Read an ocean book like The Singing Mermaid or The Snail & the Whale by Julia Donaldson
  3. Host an ocean themed coloring or drawing competition or SeaWeek Poster Competition
  4. Colouring-in Competition
  5. Create an ocean in an egg carton
  6. Create an ocean sensory bin with ice
  7. Make your own socktopus
  8. Paint a puffer fish
  9. Make egg carton ocean animals
  10. Organise an ocean themed incursion – why not book one of our interactive Programs to give the kids a real hands-on experience of marine creatures with our lively team of animals!

 

Link to EARLY LEARNING RESOURCES

Primary School Teaching Activities for SeaWeek 2023

  1. Launch a Plastic- free class challenge – no plastic in lunch boxes for a day, then maybe extend to a week school beach clean
  2. Create a plastic diary
  3. Plastic ocean cycle activity – using our free infographic
  4. Organise a field trip to the beach to explore
  5. Organize a beach clean (& BBQ?) with prizes
  6. Habitat and adaptation activity
  7. Classification activity
  8. Organise an ocean themed incursion – why not book one of our interactive PROGRAMS to give the kids a real hands-on experience of marine creatures with our lively team of marine animals!
  9. Teach students curriculum topics using our Humpbacks online teaching resources.
  10. Fundraise for a local ocean focused charity – on the Sunshine Coast that could be: Coolum & North Shore Coast Care, Ocean Crusaders or Sea Shepherd.

 

Link to PRIMARY RESOURCES

 

Further reading

SeaWeek Official Website – packed with useful info and resources

Australian Association for Environmental Education (AAEE).

UNESCO Ocean Literacy PORTAL

OCEAN EVENTS 2023 CALENDAR

10 REASONS WHY WE NEED OUR OCEAN

 

Earth Day 2022 – How to Get Involved

earth day 2022

 

Earth Day is a global action to protect the planet. It’s happening on 22 April this year. The theme for Earth Day 2022 is ‘Invest in Our Planet’. That’s not about spending money! It’s about putting effort into accelerating the great work that is already being done to combat climate change and clean up our home. It’s all about everyone taking ownership and doing their bit. Sometimes the task seems overwhelming, but we can all take action in our own lives that joined together will make a big difference to the planet. So don’t despair, it’s exciting to think what we can achieve together and how much fun we can have along the way. Here are some easy ideas to get involved, because no one is too small to make a difference!

 

Join a Queensland Beach Clean – or Organise One For Your School

beach clean

Recent events here on the Sunshine Coast have shown what a force our communities are when they set to work together on a beach clean. Huge storms have landed load of debris and plastics on our beautiful beaches. But we haven’t sat back and watched it happen. Instead, our local communities have taken to the beaches with bags and helped cleaned up.

Unfortunately, there is still much more to do but people are uniting to make it happen. One person with one bag could easily make a big difference to one turtle! 

Beach cleans are probably the largest environmental volunteer event in history. So, grab a bag (a biodegradable doggie poop bag will do!), grab your mates, and get on down to the beach and be part of history! You could even have a competition to win some lollies if you collect the most trash.

Take Action: 

Get Involved in a Beach Clean on the Sunshine Coast

Get involved in a Beach Clean Near Brisbane

 

Fundraise to Support a Queensland Coast Care Charity

There are plenty of Queensland coast care charities to choose. On the Sunshine Coast there’s Coolum Coast Care, or there’s Great Barrier Reef Foundation and Sea Shepherd.

Ocean Crusaders operate around Brisbane too.

Take Action

How about a sponsored swim or a shark drawing competition to raise money for your favorite Queensland coast care charity? Just ask and they are sure to want to help you get started.

Plant Trees

Trees and forests are one of our most powerful tools to combat climate change and provide food and habitat for the species of the world. But our planet is currently losing trees at a staggering rate. In fact, about 27 soccer fields of forest are lost every minute. 

Trees are amazing and filter the air and protect us from climate change. They also keep our land healthy and provide food, energy and income to communities. What’s not to like about trees? So, why not plant trees yourself? (in a designated area obviously!!)

Take Action

Plant your own tree or Donate to plant a tree

The Usual Stuff

Of course, you can always be doing all the usual stuff to make the world a cleaner place, like reducing your use of plastics, reducing your carbon footprint and energy consumption, making sustainable seafood choices and enjoying the ocean responsibly.

 Further reading –  ‘How Can I Protect the Ocean‘ 

Educators & Schools

 We have some great FREE ocean resources and activities on our website in our Human Impact section, including: Plastic Diaries, Plastic Ocean Life Cycles, Human Impact Presentations and more.

Or why not book an incursion so we can come in with our team and inspire the kids with a live marine animal program?

Celebrate Ocean Events in 2022

ocean events

 

Ocean Life Education is all about educating children about the ocean and inspiring them to want to protect it. Thousands of ocean events happen across the globe each year, where communities work together to focus on issues affecting the ocean – with children often leading the way! We have created a downloadable Ocean Events Calendar to guide you through the year, so you can celebrate ocean events in 2022 and be part of the solution. There’s a lot to celebrate and a lot to change, but little ripples make big waves!

Our Top Pick of Ocean Events in 2022

ocean decadeUN ‘Ocean Decade’ – Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) 

The vision for the ‘Ocean Decade’ is all about the “science we need for the ocean we want”. Supporting efforts to reverse decline in ocean health and joining together ocean stakeholders to support countries in improving conditions for sustainable development of the Ocean. The Ocean Decade is a very important decade indeed!

 

 

World Whale Day 2022: 20 February

World Whale Day began in 1980 in Maui, Hawaii. It’s all about reminding us of the challenges whales face around the globe. Observed annually on the third Sunday in February, World Whale Day 2022 celebrates everything about whales.

Humpback Whale Teaching Resources – $20
Humpback Whale Online Course – $20

 

seaweek 2022SeaWeek Australia 2022: 5-13 March

This year’s theme is: Our SEArch – what will you discover? It’s based around the fact that the Ocean is largely unexplored. This is a public awareness campaign which aims to educate and encourage an appreciation of the sea. SeaWeek Australia is an annual opportunity to increase focus on the relationship we have with the ocean and how our lives are affected by the health of our oceans.

Blog: Dive into SeaWeek2022
Blog: How Schools Can Celebrate Seaweek Australia 

 

World Oceans Day 2022: 8 June

2022 Conservation Action Focus: collaborating to protect at least 30% of our blue planet for a healthy ocean and climate. World Oceans Day 2022 is on a mission to get us working together to take action to protect the ocean.

 

 

World Sea Turtle Day 2022: 16 June

World Sea Turtle Day is celebrated each year on 16 June 2022, as it is the birthday of Dr. Archie Carr, the aclaimed “father of sea turtle biology.”  His research highlighted the plight of sea turtles and has driven community support to protect them.

 

 

Shark Awareness Day 2022: 14 July

Many people fear sharks because of shock stories in the media and scary films like Jaws. The fact is that sharks are a crucial part of the food chain that help keep the oceans and planet healthy. Without sharks in Australian waters, many ecosystems would not be sustainable, and would die off forever. Shark Awareness Day 2022 aims to separate fact from myth and promote a positive image for these amazing creatures.

FREE Shark Teaching Resources
Amazing Sharks Online Course – $20

 

Remember to lock in the dates and get planning so you can make the most of these celebrations at your school. Little ripples make BIG waves!

Marine Education Programs Beach Clean

Why not book in an Ocean Life Education live marine education program to compliment your ocean events and bring it all to life. Our programs are delivered by qualified Marine Educators who are very passionate about the ocean and provide a lively, interactive experience with our live marine animals. Our programs are designed to educate and inspire schools and community to protect our precious marine environment.

Early Learning Programs & Resources

Primary Programs & Resources