A program of the Lawrence Hall of Science that seeks to increase ocean literacy through informal and formal education initiatives

Marine Activities, Resources & Education

Ocean Literacy

Live from NOAA

NOAA, BOEM: Historic, 19th century shipwreck discovered in northern Gulf of Mexico

During a recent Gulf of Mexico expedition, NOAA, BOEM and partners discovered an historic wooden-hulled vessel which is believed to have sunk as long as 200 years ago.

New analysis shows eight percent of U.S. marine waters protected

New analysis of updated data has shown that eight percent of U.S. waters are currently designated as marine protected areas (MPAs), with the vast majority of these areas open to fishing and other activities, according to NOAA.

NOAA, partners kick off multi-state study of how thunderstorms affect upper atmosphere

Today marks the beginning of a large-scale, comprehensive field project to measure how thunderstorms transport, produce and process chemicals that form ozone, a greenhouse gas that affects Earth’s climate, air quality and weather patterns.

April global temperatures are fifth warmest

The globally-averaged temperature for April marked the fifth warmest April since record keeping began in 1880. NOAA also reports that La Niña has ended and neutral conditions have returned over the equatorial Pacific Ocean.

Annual NOAA report shows a record number of rebuilt fisheries

A record six fish populations were declared rebuilt to healthy levels in 2011, bringing the number of rebuilt U.S. marine fish populations in the last 11 years to 27, according to a report to Congress out today from NOAA’s Fisheries Service.

Ocean Learning Research

Research on Learning and Teaching Ocean and Aquatic Sciences

The Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence for Grades K–12 is an instructional tool that shows how concepts in ocean sciences are interconnected. Education research indicates that students need to understand how small-scale concepts and processes are interrelated, so they can achieve an understanding of complex global systems. The Scope and Sequence supports a systems approach for teaching and learning about the ocean.

To learn more, read Research on Learning and Teaching Ocean and Aquatic Sciences, published in National Marine Educators Association Special Report #3.

Listen to the webinar Ocean Literacy: Updates and Future Directions recorded on 9/1/11 with ocean sciences educators from MARE and other organizations.