Plastic Free Boy and his film Plastic Alarm

Getting down to the nitty gritty with Plastic Free Boy and pre-school heroes




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SEAWEEK 2018 - MUSIC FROM THE SEA SHORE

SEAWEEK SOUNDSCAPE

Who isn't affected by the sound of the sea? Well with the assistance of some wonderful folks we've integrated sound stylings and geography into a unique lesson plan for teachers who want to broaden the horizon.

Below find a wonderful clip, courtesy of Kalani, that demonstrates one example of a soundscape using a varitey of materials.

Our challenge to teachers and students is to build your own soundscape using the resource we've provided here under the 'Explore Sounds' menu tab.







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Earth Overshoot Day?

It seems that as of the 2nd Day of August 2018 we have used more of Earth's resources, dug up, cut down, hunted, grown, watered, eaten and drunk more than can be regenerated over an entire year. 

According to an ABC article saying that this year we have achieved the Earth Overshoot Day in just seven months. 

Oh my goodness! And it appears that Australia is one of the per capita leaders in shortening the length of time to reach Overshoot Day, according to the Global Footprint Network statistics. 

See the whole article at http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-08-03/earth-overshoot-day:-today-the-earth-goes-into-the-red/8770040



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What does 'Ocean Literacy' mean?

Over the last 18 years or so there has been a lot of interest in bringing the level of understanding about the ocean through education up to the surface. This has largely been lead from the Americas however many in scientists, teachers and informal educators in Australia have contributed and participated in generating some overall principles and concepts.

What is Ocean Literacy?

Ocean literacy is defined as 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.

The Ocean LIteracy Framework is laid out on an aged basis for students and can be found at   http://oceanliteracy.wp2.coexploration.org/ocean-literacy-framework/

What is the Ocean Literacy Framework?

The Ocean Literacy Framework is comprised of two consensus documents:

• Ocean Literacy: The Essential Principles of Ocean Sciences K-12 (also known as the Ocean Literacy Principles); and
• Ocean Literacy Scope and Sequence for Grades K-12 (also known as the Scope & Sequence).

Both of these documents are also available in print and download forms.

Although it is not part of the Australian curriculum this is an important piece of work and readily available for those wishing to understand and communicate about the ocean.

Have a look - click here.

Plastic Free July - are you in?

Finally we are all becoming aware of what plastics are doing to our oceans.

The large natural whirlpools or ocean gyres collect our waste and swirl plastics around and around endlessly. Some sink, some float but much reduces into a slimy slurry that is inadvertantly eaten becoming part of the food chain.

There are many things we can do to address the issue but it means changing how we think and what we do from our daily habit, to government decision making and management, to commercial and industrial accountability towards public welfare rather than economic bottom line. We are all responsible for making the change.

Some of the easiest quickest ways for us to demonstrate our willingness to restore balance are on a personal level with the choices we make and the action we take.

QUICK EASY THINGS TO DO:

1. Pick up waste, even 3 pieces a day will help!

2. Choose to say 'no' to take away items that will become waste after one use like plastic bags, cups and straws.

3. Support decision makers who recognise the importance of minimising plastics and maximising innovations for reuse like making roads or returning plastic into oil or making plastic into home buildings.

4. Support companies that can demonstrate their commitment to a healthy ocean and healthy planet as well as their own profits.

5. Make a decision to join the community movement towards a healthy environment ensuring the well-being of our families and friends. Join clean up groups and talk about what you've seen with others.






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Project Aware: One Million Less Items of Trash in our Ocean

AUSMEPA congratulates Project Aware and the Army of Activity Divers in their Dive Against Debris!

The #OneMillionLess milestone is a wonderful contribution to the health of the Ocean around the world.The array of seafloor debris that divers collected and reported is astounding.

Statistics given"

• 1 million pieces removed since 2011
• 48,199 scuba divers
• 5351 surveys
• 114 countries participating
• 5,597 Entangled or dead animals
• 64% of the waste was plastic
• 307,064 kilograms or 676,959 pounds total weight removed 

You might like to join in this amazing effort. 

Find out more here

Share

Photo by Sunshine Divers, Thailand

International Pacific Marine Educators Network Conference 2018

The International  Pacific Marine Educators Network (IPMEN) is the initiative of selfless individuals who have dedicated themselves to improving education, awareness and action in regard to the sea around us.

The initiative began many years ago  and the One Ocean Marine Fourm (OOMF) was born in 2005.  Held in Hawaii, the platform was an Open Space discussion amongst educators from the length and breadth of the Pacific Basin. They agreed that it was important to help each other and share information to assist in bringing marine education and action to the publics attention, both locally and internationally.

Since the network, IPMEN, was formed regular conferences have been held in different countries.  This year the conference will be held in Taiwan.

Teachers and educators this could be just the mechanism you need to reinvigorate your commitment to yourself in your pursuit of excellence in marine studies. Enjoy the company of like minded individuals while broadening your knowledge in this amazing space.

To find out more visit the conference website at:
http://2018ipmen.ntou.edu.tw/index.html



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Demystifying ocean acidification and biodiversity impacts

California Academy of Sciences

Middle year and Senior School students may enjoy this well executed clip 

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Hermie the hermit crab on Ocean acidification by GBRMPA

The clip below will be excellent reference on this topoic for lower primary students courtesy of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Part Authority (GBRMPA)




Find more interesting information at 
http://www.gbrmpa.gov.au/learn-about-the-reef/resources-by-theme/climate-change



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Fish and People, a new educational resource.

Here is some information about how the Solomon Islands are working on improving their marine ecosystem health through education and action thanks to Oceans IQ and James Cook University.



View more here.


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Education; ECO-ARTS as agents of change

For those who have witnessed the impact that the arts can have on environmental education outcomes you may be interested in the July 2017 issue of the Australian Journal of Environmental Education
Volume 33, Issue  2 

It highlights a study Arts Education as a Vehicle for Social Change: An Empirical Study of the Eco Arts in the K-12 Classroom, a paper by Jeniffer Sams (Indiana University, USA) & Doreen Sams (Georgia College & State University, USA)

The study "unpacks the role of the arts as change agents". The paper points out the gap in academic literature related to "synergistic work of the arts and sciences." 

Animal tracks
demonstrated by Reef Check

STEM subjects integrated with Arts benefit by opening students up to a new way of applying knowledge that ultimately has the capacity to create change.

Research viewing the arts as a medium for sharing and influencing cultures between societies is cited and that early exposure to arts education and continued exposure to the arts can create a lifetime of original thinking and problem solving. 

Using lateral thinking
to create coral from recycled
packing materials

The study advises that artists have historically been the keepers of culture and social commentators and that "measures must be taken to address environmental literacy, environmental stewardship and sustainability from several angles."

Find the abstract information here








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Plastic straws; why bother?

One common occurrence of plastic pollution on a beach is the humble(?) straw. 50-60 years ago we used to have paper straws that would degrade and before that we simply took a sip from a glass. Is it time to re-think getting sucked in by trends?

This initiative is a good one.



We can do better, protect our seas better.

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TEACHERS: TASMANIA'S MARINE DISCOVERY CENTRE

If you are a teacher in Tasmania, and you have the chance to do this, you should seriously consider a visit to the Woodbridge Marine Discovery Center. Your kids will have the best time and learn many very important things about this wonderful world!!




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The Great Barrier Reef - What do people care about?

The Australian National Environmental Science Programme (NESP) have undertaken a study within their Tropical Water Quality Hub to determine what it is that people care about most in relation to the Great Barrier Reef's aesthetic and physical beauty. The study importantly bears weight on key criteria for listing the World Heritage Area as well as ecosystem health.

So what do people care about? 

Dr Nadine Marshall's CSIRO research has found that although the diversity on the reef relies on the coral system "people care more about abundant fish than live coral cover when rating the Great Barrier Reef’s physical beauty."

It seems that the 1500 Australian's tested may not fully recognise the direct correlation between healthy fish numbers and corals. Find out more about the study here

If you, your students or community wish to actively contribute to the ongoing education and growing body of knowledge about corals in your area you may want to check out Coral Watch here.

If you are a teacher you may be excited to use the free online resources and units of work at www.ausmepa.org.au under the Educators tab http://www.ausmepa.org.au/educators/