Share Share
Tweet Tweet
Forward Forward
Ocean First Education brings the sea to life through high-quality, innovative marine science education and creates lifelong students and stewards of the sea.
The Latest
Manta and Ray Ecology

Did you know that there are over 500 species of rays in 26 families? This makes them the largest group of cartilaginous fishes on the planet! Known as batoids, rays, together with sharks, comprise the subclass Elasmobranchii. Learn more about rays, skates, and mantas in our recently released short course, Manta and Ray Ecology.

In the News
Climate Change

It has been in the news quite a bit lately, with students marching on Fridays and a new election cycle underway, it’s hard not to be curious. Engage your students by bringing the climate change discussion into your classroom.

Climate change is effecting and will continue to impact life in the ocean. We see it today. Recent coral bleaching events are a result of increased ocean temperatures. The ocean is absorbing more carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and becoming more acidic, which weakens the shells of mollusks, like oysters, and other invertebrates. As ocean temperatures increase, weather patterns will change because heat is distributed in new global patterns. Migratory routes of several marine species will shift due to food availability and temperature thresholds.

How did we get here?

Greenhouse gases, such as such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, are all gases found naturally in Earth’s atmosphere. These gases, along with a few others, absorb heat. The sun heats our planet and keeps it from becoming a frozen wasteland. We also know that human activities, from agricultural practices to burning fossil fuels, produce these particular gases as a byproduct. Over a period of time, the amount, or volume, of these gases in the atmosphere increases.

Greater volume of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere results in more heat being absorbed from the sun and that equals a warmer planet Earth. Decade after decade, Earth is getting warmer and the climate is changing

What can be done?

Educate yourself about climate change. Talk to your students about climate change. The more we all know about it, the more informed our decisions will be.

You can learn more about climate change and other issues facing the ocean in our short course, Our Impact on the Ocean.

Ocean View
A Splash of Marine Science

Have you thought about introducing your students to marine science, but you’re not sure how? We know marine science is not a required course, but it is an interesting one to study! The ocean covers more than 70% of this planet; it ignites our curiosity and impacts our lives every day. In an effort to get more students excited about marine science, we’ve created a few ways to easily include a splash of marine science in your K-12 classroom.

Learn more in our recent blog post, by Cathy Christopher.

1 Topic : 5 Facts
How well do you know the ocean?
This regular feature will help acquaint you with our blue planet.
Topic: Dr. Sylvia Earle
  1. In 1990, she became the first female chief scientist at the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
  2. She founded Mission Blue, a 501c3 organization, in response to her 2009 TED Prize wish, “I wish you would use all means at your disposal — films! expeditions! The web! New submarines! — to create a campaign to ignite public support for a global network of marine protected areas, Hope Spots large enough to save and restore the blue heart of the planet.”
  3. She participated in the first all-female underwater habitat mission, Tektite II, in May 1970 which was interested in the psychological study of the scientific teams working in closed environments, similar to that of spacecraft. The Tektite II missions were also the first to undertake in-depth ecological studies.
  4. Dr. Earle was named by Time Magazine as its first Hero for the Planet in 1998.
  5. She has authored over 150 publications including, The World Is Blue: How Our Fate and the Ocean's Are One.
Events and Announcements
Coming Soon!

We’re hard at work on the next short course, Marine Invertebrates: The other 98%. Stay tuned! Also coming soon are Marine Mammals and Climate Change.

Like Us
Like Us
Follow Us
Follow Us
Instagram
Instagram
YouTube
YouTube
LinkedIn
LinkedIn
Check Us Out
Check Us Out