RESCUE, part 28: A Transformational Tool for Ocean Literacy
World Ocean Explorer virtual aquarium project is an innovative tool by which to present responsible science, innovative education, and a unique virtual experience freely accessible to all.
by Peter Neill, Director, World Ocean Observatory
Advocates for ocean literacy abound, and individual curricula are many. The World Ocean Observatory has attempted to curate this list into a Curriculum Catalog as an educational resource for educators and learners everywhere. But, even with easy access to that collection, educators still have too little time to search, select, and organize those resources into a workable engagement that recognizes all the demands and criteria otherwise required to evolve and refine and meet their existing obligations. What is required is a single, systematic offering of ocean science, history and art, organized by theme and grade level, incorporating the principles of ocean literacy throughout, openly and freely accessible, informative, utilitarian, efficient, and effective.
World Ocean Explorer, a virtual aquarium, is our effort to fulfill this demand through a central theme-based online place for maximum engagement and minimum barrier to entry by formal and informal educators and curious individuals worldwide. We are building a transformational tool for Ocean Literacy, as follows:
World Ocean Explorer is a virtual experience of the full spectrum of the ecological and social realities of the world ocean. It offers immersive access by individuals and organizations, formally and informally, to experience and investigate the multiple layers of ocean systems. It offers an architecture of dynamic educational exhibits available through the Internet, anywhere, at any time, at no cost to users.
World Ocean Explorer is a web-based oceanic space, organized and accessed through THE HUB, a central organizing space that links through to nine themed exhibits that include DEEP SEA, CORAL REEFS, POLAR REGIONS, SCIENCE AT SEA, MARITIME WORK, THE WATER CYCLE, COASTAL ECOSYSTEMS, CULTURAL TRADITIONS, CLIMATE & ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
World Ocean Explorer will also offer additional curated resources such as a virtual bookstore for recommended reading; a visualization theater offering a full repertory of ocean films; an ocean literacy classroom providing easy access to curricular materials developed for each exhibit; and a virtual meditation space where visitors can consider and reflect on the myriad ways the ocean engages our senses and shapes our values and personal behaviors.
World Ocean Explorer curriculum design will have five objectives: 1. a baseline content outline with specific learning methods and lesson-plans; 2. a catalogue of additional resources pertinent to the outlined goals; 3. a program for in-classroom testing with selected marine science instructors; 4. a system for student/teacher evaluation, comment, suggestion, and connection; and 5. a capacity for additional development, modification, and creative instruction.
The ocean is the largest, still most fertile natural environment on Earth. As such, it holds solutions to future needs for climate mitigation, freshwater, food, energy, health, the global economy, international policy and law, stability, social justice, equity, and community development. To protect it, to use it well, requires a unified vision and global community of “Citizens of the Ocean,” the millions required to apply understanding and resolve to its sustainability. World Ocean Explorer is conceived and presented as an innovative tool by which to present responsible science, innovative education, and a unique virtual experience freely accessible to all. For further information, to promote and support, please visit world ocean explorer dot org. Dive deep, share with your children and grandchildren, and spread the word.
The purpose of the World Ocean Observatory is to advocate for the health and sustainability of the ocean through an accessible worldwide network of communication — through education, partnership, information exchange, public connection, and relentless communications. World Ocean Explorer is one aspect of our commitment to promote and conserve marine resources for the future of all mankind, and to promote a plan to advance the ocean as the value proposition of our time —the place for RESCUE:
R for renewal
E for environment
S for society
C for collaboration
U for understanding
E for engagement
PETER NEILL is founder and director of the World Ocean Observatory, a web-based place of exchange for information and educational services about the health of the world ocean. He is also host of World Ocean Radio, upon which this blog is inspired. World Ocean Radio celebrates 15 years this year, with more than 660 episodes produced to date. The full RESCUE series can be viewed at World Ocean Observatory.org under the SOLUTIONS theme.
