TEACHING OCEAN LITERACY is IMPORTANT & iS

NEEDED

We humans are causing a climate crisis through global warming,

and the Ocean is "the elephant in the room"

(the) elephant in the room
An obvious truth or fact, especially one regarded as embarrassing or undesirable, that is being intentionally ignored or left unaddressed.

Ocean Literacy?

THE OCEAN COVERS MOST OF OUR PLANET

It is the source of most life on Earth, regulates our weather and climate, provides most of our oxygen, and feeds much of the human population.

After decades of pollution, habitat degradation and overfishing, now climate change and its consequences like ocean acidification, are threatening the health of the ocean in unprecedented ways. Better public understanding of the ocean is an important part of resolving these complex and critical issues.

While the public generally has limited understanding of the ocean the more people know, the more they are willing to support policies to keep the ocean healthy.

Understanding complex systems like the ocean is difficult. However, the use of models, computer simulations, and first-hand experiences strongly enhance learning and teaching.

experience the ocean

Engaging learners in experiences focused on the ocean helps them build personal connections to the ocean and coasts that motivate them to become ocean literate.

SEA KAYAK HONG KONG with our development partners, Ocean Literacy International and the Regent International University have developed a range of school programs for International Schools (and soon, CSR programs) in Hong Kong and beyond.

Our programs cover all the essential principles and fundamental concepts of Ocean Literacy in a fun and engaging way. They cover most age groups and range in duration from 1/2 day to 10 day camps.

Experience the Ocean

Engaging learners in experiences focused on the ocean helps them build personal connections to the ocean and coasts that motivate them to become ocean literate.

What is ocean literacy?

Ocean Literacy is a relatively new term elaborated by scientists and educators.

An ocean-literate person:
• understands the Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts about the ocean;
• can communicate about the ocean in a meaningful way; and
• is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources.

This definition, the Essential Principles, and supporting Fundamental Concepts were developed through a community-wide consensus-building process.

This effort built on previous work to define ocean literacy, assess what the public knows about the ocean, and redress the lack of ocean-related content in state and national science education standards, instructional materials, and assessments.

Developing Ocean Education

As a lack of sufficient ‘Ocean Literacy’ has been identified in many countries, this clearly presents a barrier for citizens to engage in ocean responsible behaviour or consider ocean-related careers.

To overcome this, it is recommended to develop education to provide the capacity to understand environmental issues, to participate in decision-making processes and to bring about changes in behaviour.

Ocean Literacy can be seen as a way of incorporating scientific literacy in practice in education, whereby scientific literacy not only refers to a person’s knowledge of science but also to his or her ability to use this knowledge in making socially responsible decisions.

Education in its broader understanding (in both formal and informal settings) serves as a high potential channel to reach young citizens.

Ocean Education is therefore a logical step to develop a more ocean-literate public and enhance marine citizenship, as participation in environmental education has been identified as the most important predictor of environmental behaviour.

We can work together

Curriculum content, instruction, and assessment all derive from accepted standards.

By ensuring that the ocean is more prominent in educational curricula we can work together to incorporate the ocean throughout instructional materials, assessments, and teacher professional development.

Those who are concerned about education for sustainable development, and about the future health of our ocean planet must actively promote the implementation of high quality educational ocean literacy standards.

A joint venture with our partners

Meeting UN criteria

Sea Kayak Hong Kong has over 30 years of accumulated experience in teaching courses, running tours and educational camps.
The programs and courses meet the criterai and guidelines of the United Nations (UN), the academic requirements of the Regent International University (RIU) and the social protocols of Ocean Literacy International (OLI) in Ocean Literacy.

University Credits

Recognised by the Regent International university

Social Values

Rem et publicissime quod mirum typi facer eaque tui authentica accusantium eum regibus, magna quis.

SEA KAYAK HONG KONG

OCEAN LITERACY INTERNATIONAL