Ocean Literacy
Ocean literacy is an understanding of the ocean’s influence on you and your influence on the ocean.
An ocean-literate person:
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understands the essential principles and fundamental concepts about the ocean;
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can communicate about the ocean in a meaningful way; and
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is able to make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources.
Principles
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There are seven Essential Principles of Ocean Literacy comprising 45 Fundamental Concepts.
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The National Marine Educators Association have more details on the the Essential Principles and Fundamental Concepts which can be viewed here:
https://www.marine-ed.org/ocean-literacy/overview
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This talented bunch have also developed an Ocean Literacy Guide Ocean Literacy Framework to fulfill and go beyond the Next Generation Science Standards. It provides a vision for a coherent progression of learning about the ocean from the earliest grades up through integrated science courses at middle and high school, and even into college.
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Earth has one big ocean with many features
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The ocean makes the earth habitable
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The ocean is largely unexplored
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The ocean and life in the ocean shape the features of the earth
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The ocean supports a great diversity of life and ecosystems
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The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate
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The ocean and humans are inextricably connected