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Food, Farming, Fisheries
Maritime Forum

Bringing Ocean and Climate to the classroom

Workshop on science and activities from the Mediterranean Sea, in partiular how schools can Find the Blue and take the first steps to become agents for change and sustainability of the ocean and seas.

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September 27,2021 - 15h30 - 17h00 CET

Online event

Presented by EU4Ocean partners, led by EMSEA, and supported by the European Commission, DG Mare

Webstreaming of the event HERE

Ocean and Climate

The ocean is inextricably connected to our weather and climate. It mediates the temperature, rainfall, droughts, storms and floods. We are reaching a tipping point where rising air and water temperatures are melting the polar ice caps and glaciers, leading to a rise in sea levels, changing ocean currents, eroding of coastlines and placing coastal communities at the frontline of climate change. Climate change is causing ecosystems to alter states very rapidly; primary production, reproduction, species distributions, and abundance are all impacted. Combined with other devastating changes in habitats, the food web, and biodiversity, the added stress of climate change could cause major shifts in marine ecosystems. As the ocean responds to increasing carbon emissions, by storing more carbon in its marine waters, it becomes more acidic. Ocean acidification reduces growth of marine species with shells and skeletal structures, affecting their survival and the survival of the vulnerable ecosystems that depend on them. All this will result in significant economic implications and other consequences for humanity.

The Mediterranean has been called a 'climate change hotspot'. Learn here what is happening and how you can bring the Ocean and Climate into your classes.

Speakers

Keynote by Filippo Giorgi, award-winning climate researcher and author of the IPCC reports, International Center of Theoretical Physics (ICTP)

Melita Mokos, University of Zadar, EMSEA Med

Giulia Realdon, University of Camerino (Italy), Ocean Literacy Italia

Koen Timmers, Climate Action Project

Marina Berthault, MED EDUC, Petra Patrimonia, Blue Schools Erasmus+

Nathalie Van Isacker, EMODNET, European Atlas of the Seas

Evy Copejans, Network of European Blue Schools, EMSEA

Workshop objectives

The European Commission challenges schools to Find the Blue and take the first steps to become agents for change and sustainability of the ocean and seas. This workshop will focus on bringing the topic of Ocean and Climate to schools in the Mediterranean.

The online workshop features presentations and class activities on a changing climate in the Mediterranean Sea by marine scientists and experienced educators who are renowned experts in their disciplines. You will learn the science while we mix in some practical tips and activities.

The workshop is designed for teachers of all grade levels. Teachers in science, arts, languages, sports, economics, and other school subjects are all invited to participate.

After the workshop, you will:

  • Understand why and what you should teach about Ocean and Climate.
  • Know what Mediterranean Literacy is all about.
  • Receive activities for you to consider using in your lessons.
  • Be inspired to identify a topic for your school project to become a European Blue School.

Network of European Blue Schools

The Network of European Blue Schools is an initiative from the European Commission developed by DG MARE and the EU4Ocean Coalition partners. It challenges schools all over Europe to Find the Blue and explore their connection to the seas and ocean.

The main goals of bringing the ocean into the classroom are improving the understanding of the ocean and developing a sense of responsibility towards our planet. The more aware and literate of the ocean students are, the more they become active and responsible European citizens.

In a European Blue School, teachers actively make the ocean a relevant part of the school curriculum through project-based learning. Schools that take up this Find the Blue challenge identify an ocean topic that is relevant to them and create with their students a school project. After successfully completing the project, schools will receive the European Blue School certification.

For more details about the project, please visit https://ec.europa.eu/ocean-literacy/blue-schools

Contact the project staff by emailing infoatblueschools [dot] eu (info[at]blueschools[dot]eu).

This workshop is organised within the framework of the EU4Ocean Coalition for Ocean Literacy supported by the European Commission, DG Maritime Affairs an Fisheries.