What is Ocean Literacy?
Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you—and your influence on the ocean. An ocean-literate person:
- understands the Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts
- can communicate about the ocean in a meaningful way; and
- is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources.
Developed through a community-wide consensus-building process, this definition along with the Essential Principles and supporting Fundamental Concepts build on previous efforts 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. The Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts outlined in this guide (inside) represent content that does not always fall neatly within particular disciplines. As a result, many Fundamental Concepts illustrate more than one Essential Principle. For example, Essential Principle 4 lists only two Fundamental Concepts; however, several others could be listed as well. This is unavoidable and demonstrates the interdisciplinary nature of ocean sciences.
This guide presents a vision of an ocean-literate society. A practical resource for educators, it outlines the knowledge required to be considered ocean literate in accordance with the National Science Education Standards (NSES). These standards were designed to “guide our nation toward a scientifically literate society” [National Academy of Sciences (NAS), 1996.] and provide criteria to judge progress toward a national vision of science literacy. In developing the NSES, NAS invited science educators to add their unique perspectives on how to improve science education and science literacy. In a similar vein, we sought the perspectives and expertise of a cross-section of the ocean sciences and education communities. For additional information regarding ocean literacy and ocean education resources, visit:
- www.oceanliteracy.net
- www.ngsednet.org/oceans www.marine-ed.org
- www.cosee.net; www.education.noaa.gov
Scope & Sequence
Since the completion of the Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts, we have continued to work with scores of scientists and science educators to develop a draft Ocean Literacy Scope & Sequence, which breaks down the seven Principles into four grade bands (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, & 9-12). The Scope and Sequence provides guidance to curriculum developers, standards committees, informal science educators, and teachers regarding how to help learners build their understanding of the Principles from the earliest grades to the end of high school. The Scope & Sequence uses “conceptual flow diagrams” to show which concepts and sub-concepts are most appropriately taught at each grade band and how the concepts connect to each other. The Scope and Sequence takes into account developmental appropriateness, state and national science standards, and what learners need to know to help them understand higher-level concepts.
REVIEW PHASE 1. The National COSEE (Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence) Network, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the College of Exploration and the National Marine Educators Association conducted an online public review of the Ocean Literacy Scope & Sequence for Grades K-12 on the virtual campus of the College of Exploration in November 2008. Formal and informal educators, ocean and learning scientists, and educational researchers were invited to participate. We had over 100 individuals take part in the online discussions and conference calls.
REVIEW PHASE 2. The MARE Team is in the process of revising the diagrams in the light of those conversations from Phase 1, and then will send the diagrams out again for targeted review by scientists & educators. If you are interested in taking part in Phase 2, please contact us, coseeca@berkeley.edu.
