Term
Summer 2024
Capstone
Capstone Project
Degree Name
MAED: NSEE
Facilitator(s)
Karen Moroz
Content Expert
Fernando Reis, António Eloy, Patty Born Selly
Abstract
The ocean covers about 71% of our planet’s surface and provides us with food and marine resources. It regulates global climate and weather patterns, and acts as a climate change carbon sink yet remains largely unprotected. A restorative human-ocean relationship is urgently needed to combat the negative impacts of humanity and climate change and support marine biodiversity. Sharks, one of the oldest fish species and apex predators, play a crucial role in maintaining a balanced marine ecosystem and healthy ocean. However, sharks are threatened by climate change and illegal, unregulated, unreported fishing and finning. A radical behavior change is also necessary to demystify the false and negative images portrayed by the mass media. Ocean literacy is an understanding of the influence of the ocean on us and our influence on the ocean. It has integrated ocean science into principles and content within US school science curricula for two decades. Through regional networks, the United Nations Ocean Decade has accelerated the global reach of ocean literacy internationally through regional networks and schools. Educational efforts on shark science, shark conservation, and pedagogical approaches for effective marine education have become essential. The capstone answers the research question: How can ocean literacy enable elementary teachers and students to better understand sharks and their role within marine ecosystems? Research shows that elementary teachers often lack ocean-related resources and professional development. The project Teachers4Sharks is a bilingual, interactive blog created to support elementary formal and non-formal educators. It presents current credible and scientific-based information and educational resources about the fantastic shark species living in our ocean. A shift in the ocean literacy concept is making learning more inclusive and participatory, following a systems approach or a holistic and interdisciplinary understanding of the ocean. It is the perfect time for all educators to act and become ocean- and shark-literate and help protect these unique and majestic animals.
Project Type
Blog Creation
Keywords
Environmental Studies, Interdisciplinary Teaching, Science, Teachers/ Teaching
Recommended Citation
Mueller Januário, Nicole, "Ocean Literacy: Understanding the Importance of Sharks in Marine Ecosystems" (2024). School of Education and Leadership Student Capstone Projects. 1066.
https://digitalcommons.hamline.edu/hse_cp/1066
dc_type
text
dc_publisher
DigitalCommons@Hamline
dc_format
application/pdf
dc_source
School of Education Student Capstone Projects