Ocean School Development—Advancing Ocean Literacy in Canadian Youth

In accordance with the Oceans Act and the international Galway Agreement between Canada, the U.S.A. and the European Union, Fisheries and Oceans is engaged in enhancing ocean literacy and promoting public understanding of the oceans throughout Canada. To this end, Fisheries and Oceans Canada provided $250,000 via the Partnership Fund towards the development of Ocean School by Dalhousie University and the National Film Board of Canada. Ocean School will use innovative teaching and storytelling techniques and platforms to foster ocean literacy and engagement among all age groups. The school aims to reach people in Canada and around the world through three main elements: 1) Ocean School Learning: an online, curriculum-led learning program that integrates short films, virtual reality experiences, and resources for youth ages 11 to 15; 2) Ocean School 360˚: a series of virtual reality experiences for engaging a global audience; and 3) Ocean School HQ: a physical centre for ocean education, research and public engagement based at Dalhousie University. Fisheries and Oceans Canada funding will be used to:

• Deliver an enhanced virtual reality learning experience within the Ocean School in-class prototype planned for January 2017;
• Complete the program design including a detailed project outline, production schedule, and business plan for the Ocean School project from 2017 to 2020.

Project number: HQ2016.17
Year: 2016, 2017
Partner(s): Dalhousie University in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada and the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development;
Lead: Dr. Boris Worm
Ecoregion(s):  Gulf of St. Lawrence, Atlantic, Pacific