A fresh school year… Let’s bring the ocean into the classroom!
Many of you may have already started the new school year, and others may be in the midst of preparing for the first week. Whether you are a newly starting or experienced teacher, a new school year is a great moment to set an intention. Students come back from their holiday break, fully recharged and ready to learn (about all things marine)!
- What are a few things you would like your students to devote their attention and awareness to?
- What skills do you think are valuable in today’s time?
- And, how would you like to grow as a teacher?
Are you keen to work on the ocean and education for sustainable development with your students? Let us help you to bring your ideas to life! Did you know there are many international and European resources and networks that can help you?
For the start of the new school year, this week’s Map of the Week, focuses on the Network of European Blue Schools. The Network of European Blue Schools is part of the EU4Ocean Coalition. It brings together educational institutions that integrate ocean literacy and sustainability into their teaching. The map has just been updated with the many schools that have recently joined the network! Explore the map to
- find a European Blue School close to you;
- discover where in Europe you can find European Blue Schools, at the coast and inland;
- learn about the projects developed by the schools by clicking on the pieces of the puzzles on the map.
Combine the Atlas map layers ‘Network of European Blue Schools’, ‘Projects of Young Ocean Advocates’ and ‘EU4Ocean Platform members’ to see all components of the EU4Ocean Coalition at the same time in the EU4Ocean map. They all work together to increase ocean literacy in Europe through multiple projects, events and activities. Your school can become a member by developing and implementing a project that fosters students' connection to the ocean. Find out how to develop a project and how to become a European Blue School!
The EU4Ocean Coalition is the European hub for ocean literacy. At the international level, the Ocean Literacy Program is led by UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC-UNESCO). The Ocean Literacy Program promotes our understanding of the ocean’s influence on humanity, and humanity’s influence on the ocean [1] The IOC-UNESCO Ocean Literacy Portal helps you and your students transform ocean knowledge into action. On the Ocean literacy portal, you can learn about the Blue School Global Network that was launched in 2024. You can also read IOC-UNESCO’s recently released publication titled ‘Blue School Global Network: a toolkit’. The Network of European Blue Schools is featured in Part 4 of this publication dedicated to examples of Blue Schools worldwide.
As you may know, the conservation and sustainable use of the ocean, seas and marine resources for sustainable development are the objectives of the one of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in the framework of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development: SDG 14 Life Below Water. Wish to learn more about the SDGs? UNESCO - the United Nations organisation that promotes cooperation in education, science, culture and communication to foster peace worldwide - has developed a programme titled Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) that draws on education to respond to the challenges that our planet is facing (climate change, biodiversity loss, overuse of resources and inequality). It empowers people to live in a sustainable way by offering the needed knowledge, skills, values, attitudes and behaviors. Moreover, it transforms what we learn, how we learn it and in which environment we learn it, and advocates for learning that is [2]:
- Cognitive: improving how we think and understand information;
- Socio-emotional: building social skills, empathy and emotional intelligence;
- Behavioral: encouraging positive actions and behaviors.
The ESD for 2030 framework is the global framework for the implementation of ESD from 2020-2030. It focuses on actions for policy, learning environments, educators, youth and communities.[3] The ESD for 2030 roadmap sets out the urgent challenges and underlines implementation of the ESD for 2030 framework. Have a look at the roadmap to learn more about the five priority action areas. The roadmap is accompanied by an ESD for 2030 toolbox that provides resources! You, your country or your institution may be interested in joining the ESD for 2030 Global Network. Want to be inspired? Have a look at the ESD for 2030 country initiatives.
You may also be interested in learning about the UNESCO World Summit on Teachers which is currently taking place (28-29 August 2025) in Santiago (Chile).
Looking for educational resources?
- The European Union Learning corner is a platform designed for both teachers and students from all ages to discover the European Union. The platform is easy to navigate and offers you a range of topics from environment and climate, food, history, and culture, to laws and institutions. You can stay up to date of news and competitions, and network with other teachers. As a teacher you can shape your student’s future by participating in open consultations organised by the European Commission, and the Learning corner publishes news articles on such initiatives. Don’t miss the current call to share your views on the development of a New Action Plan Against Cyberbullying (until 29 September 2025).
- The European School Education Platform is a meeting point for the school education network, and home to an online community for schools in Europe. The platform offers a variety of courses, webinars and events to offer you the tools you need as a teacher today. The Toolkit for school success can be your to-go-to source for inclusive education. They have developed a podcast called Teachers of Europe and their latest episode about countering gender stereotypes in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).
- The Community for Science Education in Europe (Scientix) offers a space for people working in science education to exchange, collaborate and learn from each other. Have a look at their review of educational material on climate change and sustainability, watch the Scientix TV, and participate in inspiring events.
- The Education for Climate Coalition is your to-go-to community for teaching that aligns with the green transition and sustainable development. Do you have a project on climate education? Don’t miss the call to showcase your actions on Education for Climate Day (deadline: 14 September 2025).
Looking for ready to use educational materials on the ocean, seas and coasts? Here are three things you could already do today with the European Atlas of the Seas
- discover the Teachers’ corner;
- have a look at the instructions of the marine biodiversity Hide and Seek Game and Teachers’ Guide that includes solutions;
- watch our tutorial on the Atlas ‘My Locations’ tool that will enable you to create your own maps in the Atlas!
Dive in the Atlas, explore the many map layers, combine map layers and discover the many ways you can use the Atlas. Do you have questions? Do not hesitate to contact us via the feedback form!
Make sure you also have a look at the European nature protection toolkit, which is filled with class activities to increase your students' understanding of species and habitats, the value of nature, connectivity, nature protection and more!
Would you like to meet the Atlas team? We will be at the European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA) conference on 17 - 19 September 2025 in Ostend (Belgium) where we will be organising an Atlas workshop on 18 September. Will we see you there?
We wish all teachers and students a great new school year!
The data in the map is provided by the Network of European Blue Schools.
[1] https://oceanliteracy.unesco.org/
[2] https://www.unesco.org/en/sustainable-development/education/need-know
[3] https://www.unesco.org/en/sustainable-development/education/esd-net