Document Type

Paper- Restricted to Campus Access

Publication Date

4-23-2025

Faculty Mentor

Leah Joseph

Abstract

Human life relies on the ocean every single day. We count on the ocean for food, vitamin supplements, livelihoods, and even the moderation of our climate. However, many citizens will probably live their lives without much knowledge about how the ocean directly (or indirectly) affects surface life – and thus, many do not know how important it is to protect the ocean. This is why it’s key to improve our society's ocean literacy - a person's knowledge about how their actions affect the ocean and how our daily life is supported by it as well. If somebody is not marine literate, it can lead them to unknowingly make decisions that negatively affect our existence. My project is to increase our society's marine literacy by starting with children, our next generation. Using the National Marine Educators Association’s Ocean Literacy Framework recommendations and resources as a starting point and guide, I've planned out a month-long summer camp course which engages 6-8th grade campers in daily 1-1.5 hour lessons and activities about the ocean that can be offered even if they do not live near the ocean. Each week covers a different branch of how the ocean makes surface life possible. I am developing lesson plans and activities for each day, utilizing my own ideas as well as external sources such as National Geographic and SERC’s Teach the Earth Creative Commons resources for additional information.

Comments

Presented as part of the Ursinus College Celebration of Student Achievement (CoSA) held April 23, 2025.

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