Ocean Literacy Resources

This page contains resources for enhancing your understanding of how educators and policymakers can use the Ocean Literacy framework to influence teaching and learning about the ocean throughout our schools, museums, aquariums, science centers, parks, and other informal learning environments. The resources listed below include webinars, the NMEA Special Report on Ocean Literacy from March 2010, global resources and translations, videos, and the timeline and honor roll of Ocean Literacy development.

Ocean Literacy Webinar Series

The NMEA Ocean Literacy Committee hosted a three-part webinar series this winter, with each webinar covering a different topic and the topics building on the one prior. Details for each webinar and links to recordings of them can be found below. 

Webinar 1: Exploring and Applying the Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence for Grades K–12

View a recording of this webinar here > 

This interactive webinar engaged participants in opportunities to explore the Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence for Grades K–12. It discussed how to apply these grade-level appropriate conceptual progressions, designed to increase Ocean Literacy, to the development of learning experiences and instructional materials for use in K–12 classrooms, informal environments, and professional learning opportunities for educators.

Presented by:

• Catherine Halversen, Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley

• Craig Strang, Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley

• Lynn Tran, Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley

• Lynn Whitley, Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Southern California

Duration: 90 minutes

NOTE: During this webinar, it was suggested participants have ready access to a conceptual flow diagram that was investigated, a copy of which can be found here >

Webinar 2: Alignment of the Ocean Literacy Framework with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS)

View a recording of this webinar here > 

This webinar built participant's familiarity and understanding of the Ocean Literacy - NGSS alignment tool. It described why alignment of the Ocean Literacy Framework with NGSS is needed, and explained the rating scale used to describe the different relationships between the Ocean Literacy Principles and the Disciplinary Core Ideas that comprise the Next Generation Science Standards. Participants explored the alignment tool through the examination of particular grade bands, Ocean Literacy Principles and DCIs, along with the ratings explanations provided by a panel of experts.

Presented by: 

• Sarah Pedemonte, Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley

• Craig Strang, Lawrence Hall of Science at UC Berkeley

• Lynn Whitley, Wrigley Institute of Environmental Studies, University of Southern California

NOTE: During this webinar, we suggested participants have ready access to the alignment documents, as well as a copy of the NGSS and the Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence.

Prior to this webinar, we recommended watching this video introduction to the NGSS in NSTA’s Learning Center if you are not familiar with the Next Generation Science Standards.

Duration: 60 minutes

Instructions for Viewers: 
Please note that at several points during this webinar you will want to pause the recording to explore the alignment documents yourself. The recorded webinar has been edited to eliminate the time periods when we gave participants an opportunity to review these documents before moving on to the next part of the presentation.

Webinar 3: Organizing for Ocean Literacy - Implementation at Different Scales

View a recording of this webinar here > 

This webinar provided examples of how educators, scientists, and policy makers have deployed the Ocean Literacy Framework and the Ocean Literacy/NGSS Alignment document. It focused on moving from ideas to impact by looking at examples of Ocean Literacy-inspired curricula, non-formal programs with a focus on Ocean Literacy, and how the alignment of NGSS with Ocean Literacy can be leveraged to support funding efforts, strategic planning activity, and teacher professional learning.

Presented by:

• Kurt Holland, Lead Science Communicator, Broader Impacts West

• Diana Payne, Connecticut Sea Grant

• Sarah Schoedinger, NOAA Office of Education

Duration: 60 minutes 

Webinar organizers are interested in feedback on this webinar. After viewing it, please take a couple minutes to answer four brief questions.

NSTA and NMEA Joint Position on Ocean Literacy

The Importance of Teaching and Learning About the Ocean: Ocean Literacy as a Critical Component of Science and Environmental Literacy

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) have released a Joint Position on Ocean Literacy, asserting that a complete science education must include a deep understanding of the Ocean. The position emphasizes that Ocean Literacy—the understanding of the Ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the Ocean—is essential to achieving scientific and environmental literacy. The Ocean regulates climate, supports biodiversity, drives global systems, and directly impacts human health, economies, and communities. Yet, Ocean concepts are often underrepresented in curriculum and instruction due to a persistent terrestrial bias in science education.

This joint statement outlines key recommendations for integrating the Ocean Literacy Framework into K–12 classrooms, aligning with the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) to ensure students grasp the full scope of essential scientific ideas. It also highlights the importance of Ocean Literacy in addressing climate challenges, promoting equity and Ocean justice, and inspiring the next generation of informed, empowered decision-makers.

Explore the full Joint Position Statement to understand why teaching and learning about the Ocean is critical—and how we can work together to bring the Ocean into every classroom.

NMEA Special Report on Ocean Literacy March 2010

The Ocean Literacy Campaign Special Report #3

Special Edition Log, March 2010—This NMEA Special Edition, the Ocean Literacy Campaign Special Report #3, features the work of dozens of agencies and hundreds of individuals to bring ocean sciences into the mainstream of both formal and informal education. As a community, we have accomplished a great deal since the initial distribution of what has fondly come to be known as “The Ocean Literacy Brochure” at the 2005 NMEA Annual Conference in Maui. Number one among those accomplishments is the publication in this Report of the Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence for Grades K-12 in the form of 28 conceptual flow diagrams. The report also includes several articles and resources that we hope will be informative as you begin to use the Scope and Sequence.

Funding for this Special Report was generously provided by the National Marine Sanctuary Foundation and NOAA Office of Education. Their support is deeply appreciated.

— Craig Strang and Lynn Uyen Tran, Special Report Editors

Inside | NMEA Special Report #3

The Ocean Literacy Campaign Special Edition • March 2010

Introduction
By Craig Strang and Lynn Uyen Tran

From the Principles to the Scope and Sequence: A Brief History of the Ocean Literacy Campaign
By Sarah Schoedinger, Lynn Uyen Tran, and Lynn Whitley

Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence Honor Roll

Impacts of the Ocean Literacy Principles

Scientist and Educator Partnerships and Ocean Literacy: Creating a New Community of Practice
By Catherine Halversen and Lynn Uyen Tran

Research on Learning and Teaching Ocean and Aquatic Sciences
By Lynn Uyen Tran, Diana L. Payne, and Lynn Whitley

Developing the Ideas of Ocean Literacy Using Conceptual Flow Diagrams*
By Craig Strang, Kathy DiRanna, and Jo Topps

Introduction to Conceptual Flow Diagrams: Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence

Conceptual Flow Diagrams for Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12*

Ideas from Teachers: Using the Ocean Literacy Framework

How to Use the Ocean Literacy Alignment Matrix

Index of Topics

Alignment of Scope and Sequence with New York State Standards for Grades 3-8

About the Contributors and Credits  

*These articles and diagrams have been updated and are now available in A Handbook for Increasing Ocean Literacy: A Tool for Educators and Ocean Literacy Advocates and on the scope and sequence web page.

 Global Ocean Literacy Resources

Websites

Resources

Videos

 International Ocean Literacy

International Ocean Literacy Resources

Ocean Literacy Timeline

The Ocean Literacy campaign began as a grassroots effort to determine what everyone should know about the ocean. Ocean Literacy is now an important global concept. Explore NMEA’s critical role in the development of Ocean Literacy all over the world in our NEW interactive timeline.

You can also download the Ocean Literacy Timeline image here >

 Ocean Literacy Honor Roll

These documents serve as a practical resource that educators and policymakers use to influence teaching and learning about the ocean throughout our schools, museums, aquariums, science centers, parks, and other informal learning environments. Several hundred leading scientists and educators contributed to the development of these consensus documents. They were used to ensure that ocean concepts are well-represented in A Framework for K-12 Science Education (National Academy of Sciences, 2012) and the “Next Generation Science Standards” (Achieve, Inc., 2013).

Organizations

Individuals