This presentation explores ocean literacy programs designed for school students. It explores, how engagement in ocean literacy by teachers and students can be enhanced by providing comprehensive programs that integrate quality text and digital resources, fieldwork-based experiences, inter-school collaborations and cross-curriculum projects. An over-crowded curriculum is one of the barriers to embedding ocean literacy in Australian schools. Explicitly linking ocean literacy principles to existing syllabuses across a range of subjects, rather than adding additional content is essential. Subjects such as Geography and STEM provide ideal opportunities to embed ocean literacy alongside Science and Marine Studies.
Practical, hands-on fieldwork experiences provide students with an opportunity to connect with subject content beyond the classroom. Addressing mandatory syllabus components such as fieldwork, research and inquiry processes, and communication syllabus outcomes, particularly in subjects with external examinations, provides an additional incentive for teachers to engage with ocean literacy programs. Engaging and authentic marine science fieldwork experiences and case studies are enhanced by partnerships between educators, marine scientists and local conservation and restoration projects. This presentation draws on the NSW syllabus documents, which incorporate the Australian Curriculum.