Explorers Ocean Literacy Principles

Ocean Literacy is having ‘an understanding of the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean’. An ocean-literate person: understands the importance of the ocean to humankind; can communicate about the ocean in a meaningful way; and is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources.

Check out some of our favourite resources that support the promotion of the ocean literacy principles and concepts in the classroom. These include presentations, lesson plans and activities, projects, quizzes plus lots more.

The Explorers Ocean Literacy Presentations introduce you and your class to all seven ocean literacy principles and their concepts. They can be used as PowerPoint presentations or the graphics can be printed off to decorate your class.

View the Principles below:

• Ocean Literacy Principle #1: Earth Has One Big Ocean with Many Features
• Ocean Literacy Principle #2: The Ocean and Life in the Ocean Shape the Features of Earth
• Ocean Literacy Principle #3: The Ocean is a Major Influence on Weather and Climate
• Ocean Literacy Principle #4: The Ocean Makes Earth Habitable
• Ocean Literacy Principle #5: The Ocean Supports a Great Diversity of Life and Ecosystems
• Ocean Literacy Principle #6: The Ocean and Humans are Inextricably Connected
• Ocean Literacy Principle #7: The Ocean is Largely Unexplored

EXPLORERS OCEAN EDUCATION WHEEL

The Explorers ocean education wheel shows how the ocean literacy principles can be used in the classroom supporting many of the subjects on the national curriculum. Many of ocean principles are easily connected to the Irish primary school curriculum ranging from STEM subjects through to geography, languages, arts and history. Check out the Explorers lesson plans for more information.

OCEAN LITERACY AND ENGAGEMENT - EXPLORERS PLANNING GUIDE FOR PRIMARY SCHOOLS TEACHERS

The booklet Explorers Planning Guide for Primary School Teachers - Ocean Literacy and Engagement provides teachers with ocean facts, evaluation tools and ideas for the classroom. The booklet provides ideas to develop ocean literacy in the classroom and school.

The Explorers Team have selected some of their favourite ocean literacy facts and lesson plans to provide you with ideas of how to introduce marine themes into the classroom.

Our Ocean – Our Future Ocean Canvases – Ocean Literacy Project

Over one hundred primary school students in Galway and County Galway created seven original pieces of artwork based on the theme of “Our Ocean – Our Future,” with the aim to celebrate Ireland’s incredible ocean wealth and raise awareness about our responsibility towards the ocean and its ecosystems.

Ocean literacy is being promoted around the world by scientist, educators, and lots of communities that love the ocean. The following resources will provide you with additional ideas and concepts of how you can introduce the ocean into your classroom.

The Network of European Blue Schools is an initiative of EU4Ocean. Supported by the European Commission, this bottom-up inclusive initiative aims to help teachers and pupils improve their understanding of the ocean and develop a sense of responsibility towards our shared planet.

The Ocean Literacy Guide presents a vision of an ocean-literate society and outlines the knowledge required to be considered ocean literate. It has been produced by a number of leading marine educators and scientists in the USA.  It has become a staple document for helping guide teachers and outreach educators on how to use marine themes on the curriculum.

The EU Sea Change project aims to establish a fundamental “Sea Change” in the way we view our relationship with the ocean. Check out the Sea Change – increasing ocean literacy educational resources that can be used to help promote taking direct and sustainable action towards a healthy ocean, healthy communities and ultimately a healthy planet.