February 20, 2019 (Dartmouth, Nova Scotia) - COVE is excited to increase ocean literacy in classrooms by introducing the Taking Making into Classrooms: Ocean Toolkit.
“We developed this toolkit to support teachers who were looking for creative ways to integrate experiential ocean education into their practice. We want to encourage young people to be curious about the ocean, and to also recognize that ocean STEM concepts include, but go beyond, ecosystems and ecology – there’s a whole world of Ocean-related engineering, technology and economies to explore!” (Dr. Sherry Scully, Director of Learning & Organizational Development, COVE)
The Marine People Partnership, operating through the Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship, facilitated a multi-day conference in July of 2018 for 50+ educators from across Nova Scotia on experiential ocean education. The input from the teachers during this conference helped formulate the Ocean Toolkit which will allow teachers to foster more ocean literacy and stewardship in their classrooms. Modeled on the Taking Making into Classrooms toolkits developed by colleagues associated with the Innovative Learning Centre at the University of British Columbia (Kelowna Campus), the Ocean Toolkit is the sixth toolkit in this series.
The learning event brought together ocean education and the Maker Movement which allows us to experiment with our ability to think wisely, tinker creatively, and share generously. Furthermore, it connected STEM education in the k-12 system with emerging ocean industries that are driving sustainable economic development across the maritime region.
The Ocean Toolkit has been assembled from the hard work and collaborations of educators from across the province, and through support and partnerships with Dr. Susan Crichton, Innovative Learning Centre, the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and with financial support coming from Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
“Canada’s Ocean industries need a different kind of worker who can think innovatively, creatively and differently. This Ocean Toolkit is a practical resource for teachers actively looking for ways to cultivate this type of integrative and disruptive thinking with their students.” (Dr. Sherry Scully)
For the full version of the toolkit, visit Taking Making into Classrooms: Ocean Toolkit
Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE) is an ocean tech business park that encourages collaboration across sectors to connect local and international companies in the ocean sector. MPP is a project operating through COVE which focuses on workforce development and engagement in Ocean Industries where youth and teacher engagement is a primary focus. COVE brings together people, ideas, industry and research to help our community and members work in new ways. Together, we are a catalyst in creating the world’s next practical, commercial and revolutionary ocean tech advances. Irving Shipbuilding, as part of its Value Proposition commitments under the National Shipbuilding Strategy (NSS), has invested $4.52 million in COVE to support development of the programs and operations. www.coveocean.com
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Centre for Ocean Ventures & Entrepreneurship (COVE)