In UK geography classrooms, oceans, which cover over 70% of our planet, are taught almost exclusively through physical processes, such as ocean currents, rather than as meaningful social and human places.
Award: Flexible Funding
Academic: Dr Rachael Squire
Department: Geography
Project: Transforming ocean education through social science research
Context and Underpinning Research
In UK geography classrooms, the vast and enigmatic oceans covering over 70% of our planet are traditionally explored through the lens of physical processes like ocean currents. However, the social and human aspects of these immense sea spaces are often overlooked. Our project, in response to this educational gap, aims to infuse a new perspective into geography education – one that emphasises the social, cultural, and political significance of oceans, especially crucial in an era of environmental crisis.
Project Overview
This initiative will introduce innovative concepts around the human geographies of the oceans. We plan to achieve this through a suite of multimedia classroom resources focused on the unique spaces of public aquariums. Public aquariums are more than just tourist attractions; they are gateways to understanding oceans. Millions of young people visit these spaces in their lifetime, making them ideal venues for exploring ideas of ocean connection, place, curation, and representation.
The resources, co-developed with the Royal Geographical Society (RGS) and the Ocean Conservation Trust (OCT), will be made accessible to every secondary geography classroom in the UK. This project is a step towards reimagining how oceans are taught and understood in our educational systems.
Anticipated Outcomes and Impact
The introduction of these resources is expected to revolutionise the way oceans are perceived in geography education. By shifting the focus from purely physical aspects to include human interactions and connections, we aim to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of the seas. This project aspires to equip students with the knowledge to comprehend and address the social and environmental challenges facing our oceans.
The Role of Flexible Funding
The Flexible Funding award is pivotal to the execution of this project. It enables the development of high-quality, engaging multimedia resources that can effectively convey complex geographical concepts. This funding is essential for ensuring that these resources are not only educational but also accessible and appealing to a diverse range of students.
Next Steps: Resource Development and Dissemination
Our immediate focus is on the development of these multimedia resources, in collaboration with our partners at the RGS and OCT. Once developed, the resources will be distributed to secondary schools across the UK. We will also be organising teacher training sessions to maximise the effectiveness of these resources in the classroom.
Get Involved
We invite educators, students, and anyone interested in the future of geography education to engage with this project. Your support and feedback are invaluable as we endeavour to enrich UK geography classrooms with a deeper understanding of our oceans. Together, we can inspire a new generation to appreciate and protect the vast blue spaces that are so vital to our planet.
