What is Ocean Education?

Did you know that your life depends on the ocean? Did you know that the air we breathe, the medicines we ingest, the cosmetics we use every day come from the ocean?

The ocean is the source of life and Ocean Literacy aims to spread knowledge of issues and data related to our ocean, because only by knowing can we make a real difference.

By knowing we can change our behaviors, move in the world and in our choices more consciously. And have less impact, with our life, on that of our ocean.

Instructions for use

At home, in the office, in the classroom or for a presentation. A video that explains in an exhaustive, yet simple and fast way, the history of Ocean Education.

Source and/or author of the activity:

UNESCO-IOC (2021). What is Ocean Literacy?

Cognitive learning objectives:

• The student understands the issues related to Ocean Education
• The student understands the connection of many daily actions with the ocean.
• The student understands the historical, cultural and economic connection of the relationship between society and the ocean.
• The student understands the importance of ocean education in different social contexts, from schools to institutions.

Social-emotional learning goals:

• The student is able to support the need to include Ocean Literacy in school curricula.
• The student is able to advocate for sustainable management of the ocean.
• The student is able to understand different approaches to Ocean Literacy.
• The student perceives the deep connection that society has always had with the ocean.
• The student invites others to become aware of the often underestimated connection that humans have with the ocean.
• The student knows the opportunities for the sustainable use of living marine resources according to the point of view of different countries.

Behavioral learning objectives:

• The student is able to express his/her personal relationship with the sea.
• The student is able to talk about the ocean, sustainable development and blue economy with knowledge of the facts.
• The student is able to investigate the relationship of dependence on the sea of ​​his/her country.
• The student is able to understand the importance of protecting the ocean.
• The student is able to make informed decisions regarding the ocean.
• The student is able to talk about the ocean correctly, in a coherent and informed way.
• The student is encouraged to deepen the relationship between society and the ocean.
• The student will involve other people in the importance of the relationship between society and the ocean, becoming an ambassador of ocean education.
• The student will participate in Ocean Education initiatives, promoting new ones.

UNESCO Education for Sustainable Development Approaches

Geographical perspective, value perspective, cultural perspective, sustainability perspective, scientific perspective, historical perspective.

Connection between subjects

Civics, history, geography, natural sciences, anthropology, economics.

Sustainable Development Goals:

• SDG 14 “Life Below Water”
• SDG 4 “Quality Education”

Connection to Ocean Education Principles:

• Principle 1 “The Earth has a large ocean with many features”
• Principle 2 “The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the Earth”
• Principle 3 “The ocean has a major influence on climate and weather”
• Principle 4 “The ocean makes the Earth habitable”
• Principle 5 “The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems”
• Principle 6 “The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected”
• Principle 7 “The ocean is largely unexplored”

Links to bibliographic material:

Ocean Literacy Portal – https://oceanliteracy.unesco.org