Ocean Literacy

Invite the ocean into your classroom

Our education work is funded by grants, foundations and corporate support, plus modest fees we charge schools

We have clear ways to get sharp and captivating ocean content into schools:

Incredible Oceans Teachers TV - amazing animated videos created in partnership with Fuseschool. We distill down everything you need to know and show you which best free resources you can teach with. READ MORE HERE

Partnerships - we have worked with a lot of leading institutions and associations SEE MORE HERE

Schools visits - see below

We deliver fun & impactful presentations and workshops aimed to support & contextualise the science curriculum at both primary and secondary level.

Developed by qualified teachers, we aim to enthuse pupils of all ages about the wonder of our ocean & the creatures within it while showcasing novel applications of knowledge gained within the classroom, supporting learning at all levels. 

Combining eye-catching artefacts, hands-on classroom workshops and interactive presentations, we turn science learning into an occasion to be remembered alongside our life-size orca and inflatable OceanDOME.

Having delivered workshops at Science on Stage, the Association of Science Education (ASE), the Primary Science Teaching Trust (PSTT) and the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA) annual conferences, our presenters are active practitioners of science pedagogy. 

We always aim to make our visits as impactful and as cost-effective as possible being able to provide content for all budgets.


Workshops

Content

Marine Microbiology

Just because we can’t see it doesn’t mean it’s not there! Most people are completely unaware that there’s a whole ecosystem in just a few drops of water. Learn how to use a simple microscope to observe a whole menagerie of microbeasts.

Marine Machines

Discover how to make some of the coolest water vehicles using surprisingly familiar objects and materials. A great introduction to the world of marine engineering as we get creative making your own paddle-boats, submarines and hovercrafts!

Fish Dissection

If you want to know how something works, start by taking it apart. Find out what biological adaptations make a fish a fish as you systematically and scientifically dissect one piece by piece. NB. Not for the squeamish!

Oil Spill Clean-Up

There’s been an oil spill crisis and you’ve been called in to help! Problem solve your way to a cleaner ocean in this race against time. Explore what oil is, why it is important and the environmental impacts of our reliance on oil.

A Sea of Plastic

Take part in a circus of hands-on experiments that introduce you to the problems around ocean plastic, before empowering you with simple take-home solutions that can make a real difference in saving the planet.

Seawater alchemy

Just using plain old saltwater and some electricity, we explore the science of electro-chemistry. Create poisonous chlorine gas, make a salt water battery, split water into its hydrogen and oxygen components.

Water, water everywhere…

…but not a drop to drink! Water is essential for life on Earth but a surprisingly small percentage of it is drinkable. In true Ray Mears style, pupils learn about the importance of water conservation by building their own filter out of household items.

Bubbleology

That’s definitely the science of bubbles! A workshop that explores the wonder of bubble making. Ever wondered why bubbles appear to be rainbow coloured? Is it possible to make different shaped bubbles? Why do bubbles pop? 

Presentations can be adapted for different age groups and durations accordingly. We are also happy to work with teachers to deliver a specific focus or to ensure certain classroom content is covered.


Presentation

Content

Sea Soup - why you should care about plankton

Plankton are microscopic plants and animals that live in the world's water ways. These weird and wonderful organisms not only underpin the marine food chain but also produce 80% of the oxygen that we breathe.

The Best Animal Ever (hint: it’s an octopus) 

Everyone has a favourite animal but the mighty octopus is definitely the best! This talk goes through some of the amazing adaptations that octopuses / octopi have evolved over millions of years.

Exploring The Deep:  Ocean vs Space 

Ever wondered why we've sent over 500 people into space but only 4 people have been to the bottom of our ocean? This talk looks at the technology we use to explore the different environments.

My Favourite Whale (hint: it's a sperm whale)

A look at the adaptations and culture surrounding sperm whales as we take a closer look at this enigmatic creature and the life it leads the deep ocean. Full of record-breaking facts that showcase the wonder of this whale in a whole new light.

Cetaceans: the best of whales and dolphins

A "greatest hits" of the coolest whales and dolphins from across the ocean as we look how these animals have adapted to life in the ocean over millions of years.

Journey into The Deep

As we journey deeper and deeper into the ocean depths, we stop to discuss some of the weird creatures that we encounter en route and how they've adapted to life in the deep ocean.

Fake Plastic Seas: ocean plastic problems and solutions

Unless you’ve been hiding under a single-use bottle for the past year, you’ll know that our use of plastic is a BIG issue. This presentation will introduce you to the problems around ocean plastic, before empowering you with simple take-home solutions to save the planet.

Marine Food Chains

Bored of the grass-rabbit-fox analogy? Learn about how energy is transferred from the Sun up through different organisms as we learn about marine food chains and how pollution can build up inside organisms.

TESTIMONIALS

Anne-Marie Fauvel, Year 6 Teacher, Lewes New School

Great resources that really engaged the children and kept them focused and interested. The sense of fun was infectious. The interactive nature of the activities was balanced well with the powerpoint presentation.

Becky Wycherley, Headteacher, Springfield Infant School, Worthing

Enthusiastic, well-organised and flexible to our needs

Rachel Martin, Headteacher, Pebsham Primary Academy Bexhill

Very inspirational; the children loved it. It’s all they’ve been talking about all day

Maxine Green, Big Bang Project Manager, Northbrook College, Sussex

Fully engaged with students and visitors to the event, suited to all age groups. Very easy to book, to talk to and provided a good range of resources to encourage interest and conversation.

Liam Brosnan, Science Coordinator, Middle Street Primary School, Brighton

A full and descriptive, fun educational piece on whales and other sea creatures, which appealed to children.

Vania Seevaramen, Teacher, St Peter’s Community School, Hove

A fun and informative assembly; the children were really fascinated.

Graham Tarrant, Leader, 1st Fittleworth Cub Pack

Kept thirty 6-to-10 year olds captivated while actually teaching them something about our planet. It was a brilliant evening.

Chris Laughton, Head of Science, St Andrew’s Prep School, Eastbourne

Opened children’s eyes to the variety of life within our oceans. Interesting and well-pitched to each year group. Our children loved the talks and the teachers enjoyed them too!

Lucinda Groves, Science Coordinator, Hogarth Primary School, Essex

Engaged ALL of the children from Year 1 to Year 6. They were enthused and wanted to ask lots of questions.

David Sang, Editor, Catalyst GCSE Science Magazine

Both entertaining and informative. My 10-year-old nephew thought the same.

JoMcKinney, STEM Sussex / Big Bang Fair South East

Great with the facts and spot on with enthusiasm!