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Ocean Literacy

The Center is committed to meeting the national call to strengthen the country's awareness of the importance of the oceans and create an ocean science literate society. The call comes from the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy's recently completed study on the state of the oceans. The study's results are published in An Ocean Blueprint for the 21st Century. The first federal review of the state of the oceans in 30 years, it clearly states that our oceans are in trouble. The report recommends significant changes in the way we view, manage and interact with the oceans and marine resources.

At the core of all the recommendations is an urgent call to strengthen the country's awareness of the importance of the oceans and create an ocean science literate society. The Seacoast Science Center has joined marine education and research institutions across the country to advance ocean literacy, which is defined as understanding the influence oceans have on people, and the influence people have on oceans.

An ocean-literate person understands:

• the essential principles and fundamental concepts about the functioning of the ocean;
• can communicate about the ocean in a meaningful way; and
• is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources

The National Geographic Society, NOAA, Centers for Ocean Sciences Education Excellence and the National Marine Educators Association have developed seven Essential Principles to guide formal and informal science educators.

The seven essential principles about the way the ocean works are:

1. The Earth has one big ocean with many features.
2. The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of Earth.
3. The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate.
4. The ocean makes the Earth habitable.
5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
6. The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
7. The ocean is largely unexplored.

These can be reviewed in full at www.coexploration.org/oceanliteracy. The Center includes these principles throughout its mix of hands-on, minds-on programs and engaging exhibits. Our Staff      Photo Galleries      Calendar      Contact Us