Towards a 2025 National Ocean Literacy Strategy: Current Status and Future Needs in Primary Education

• DOI: 10.3389/fmars.2022.883524
• Publication Date: 2022-06-30T08:47:05Z
• Authors: Cátia Freitas; Alecia Bellgrove; Paul Venzo; Prue Francis
• Keywords: Best practice; Vulnerability; Scientific Literacy; Marine Biology

Globally, ocean health has become critically compromised due to compounding negative human impacts. Marine science education can play a key role in raising collective understanding of the vulnerability marine environments and importance their protection, this may best begin with integration literacy schools. Previous research shows that K-12 students worldwide have limited ocean. This lack familiarity been linked absence topics related most national school curricula. Teachers are ultimate arbiters deciding whether how include these classes. However, extent which be currently being taught formal is still unknown. We used Australian public system as case study investigate teaching practices primary teachers (Foundation – Grade 6), through an online survey. Our results indicate while value from young age, them rarely or only occasionally cover lessons. cited increased levels knowledge greater availability ocean-related educational resources curriculum areas for improvement practices. highlights education, along need professional development opportunities teachers.