Blue Schools
We are building the support to launch Aotearoa New Zealand's very own Blue Schools network, targeting years 7/8 students. This initiative is to begin an immersive, experiential pilot Ocean Literacy Programme across schools in Waitaha/Canterbury.
Our goal is for all programme graduates to understand the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean. Thereby fostering collective, collaborative actions that connect ancestral, indigenous, and scientific visions to allow NZ’s unique marine biodiversity to flourish.
The seven Essential Ocean Literacy Principles
1. The earth has one big ocean with many features.
2. The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the Earth.
3. The ocean is a significant influence on weather and climate.
4. The ocean makes the Earth habitable.
5. The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems.
6. The ocean and humans are inextricably interconnected.
7. The ocean is largely unexplored.
Being Ocean Literate means
● Understanding the principles and concepts of the ocean
● Communicating understanding in a meaningful way
● Making informed, responsible decisions about the ocean and its resources
We have been inspired by the UNESCO Ocean Literacy for All (2017) publication, and the EU Commission’s EU4Ocean Coalition which brings together three communities: the Blue Schools Network, the EU4Ocean Platform (Our Founder James Nikitine has been the Co-Chair since 2019) and the Youth4Ocean Forum.
More information here.
Supported by
Information coming soon.
Project Leads
- James Nikitine, Project Manager
- Matt Bateman, Mātauranga Education Lead
- Sarah Bishop, Education Lead
More information soon.
What is Ocean Literacy? Watch the videos below by UNESCO
Additional resources - UNESCO
Our partners
