Article written by Teniko Aykeio Ehteial – General high school of Sitia, Greece
On a small Mediterranean island, a science teacher leads her class down to the shore to study marine life. Halfway around the world in Polynesia, teenagers log into an online lesson about ocean conservation. These once-rare scenes are becoming reality thanks to the Erasmus+ BlueOcean project (2024-MT01-KA220-SCH-00254518).
This ambitious international initiative aims to embed ocean literacy in education, uniting schools from Europe to the Pacific in a shared mission.
The Need for Blue Education
Marine ecosystems from coral reefs to kelp forests are under pressure, from warming seas to plastic pollution. Yet in many countries, formal schooling barely touches on ocean issues. BlueOcean, funded by the EU’s Erasmus+ program, is a two-year partnership uniting five organizations from vastly different shores (Malta, Italy, Greece and French Polynesia) with the goal of mainstreaming ocean literacy in secondary education.
Train-the-Teachers Program (WP2)
One cornerstone of BlueOcean is its teacher training initiative – a “Train-the-Teachers” program that empowers educators to become champions of ocean literacy. The project is developing a comprehensive handbook and will pilot the program in Tahiti, French Polynesia, bringing together teachers for hands-on workshops.
Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) for Students (WP3)
The project is developing a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) that connects youth from Europe and the Pacific in learning about the ocean. This EU-Pacific MOOC will feature modules on marine biology, climate change impacts, and sustainable ocean technologies. It’s designed to be interactive and is expected to reach students globally.
School Guidelines to Mainstream Blue Education (WP4)
BlueOcean is also producing School Guidelines – a strategic blueprint to integrate “blue education” into schools. These guidelines will provide a framework that any school can follow to promote ocean literacy and awareness of ocean-related careers, especially targeting remote or smaller institutions.
A Diverse Partnership Bridging Continents
BlueOcean links four secondary schools and an educational consulting firm from Malta, Italy, Greece, and French Polynesia. This diverse partnership allows exchange of expertise and best practices, enriching the educational content and fostering mutual understanding.
BlueOcean’s reach extends beyond the partner schools. The project is organizing events and international conferences to disseminate results widely. Its materials will remain available online for global use, ensuring the project’s legacy.
Ultimately, BlueOcean prepares the next generation for a sustainable future by linking climate science, ocean stewardship, and career education. Its legacy will likely be a generation of ocean-literate young people working together to steward the ocean.