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When shall we tell the children?

7 minute read

When do we talk to younger children about climate change, our polluted ocean and the future of the planet - all of which could have a far greater long-term impact on them?

Just how much do younger children need to know about the state of our ocean, the planet and, ultimately, our long-term survival? How do we make sure we don't create a generation fearful of the future?

Telling children the truth has never been in doubt. OK, you may have told a few porkies to your kids or grandkids - the ice cream man only plays a tune to let you know he's run out; carrots will help you see in the dark; chocolate milk comes from brown cows, and an all-time classic, if you cross your eyes too much, they'll get stuck.

But asked by any six-year-old: "Will the planet last forever?" Well, there's a tricky one. Because the truth is, the planet, in its current state, is in a very bad way, caused by centuries of damaging treatment inflicted on it by humans. "Well son, it's possible we'll burn in extreme heat or freeze solid due to climate change resulting in warped weather. Now, beans or peas with your fish fingers?"

So, how do we explain climate change and all that it entails to our very young family members - children that are in pre-school and primary?

At the Marine Conservation Society, we've always put education at the top of our agenda. But the angle has changed. We're still doing the fun stuff - what you can find on the strandline and how big a humpback is compared to your average family car - but we're also bringing our outputs bang up to date, exploring some big issues with out littlest people.

Litter being weighed during Great British Beach Clean on Hove beach 2020 Billy Barraclough

Credit: Billy Barraclough

We're looking at the impact of climate change on our ocean, how the ocean can help stem the environmental crisis, and helping children understand and believe they can make a difference as they grow.

There are probably more children than ever before who don't have regular interaction with the natural world. So why would you fight for something you don't feel connected to? Well, we're talking about the long-term survival of the planet and how the ocean can play a positive role in reversing damage. We're striking a balance - things aren't great, but if we do something right now, it could be so much better.

How do we make sure we don't create a generation fearful of the future? Our education team are at the forefront of creating age-appropriate teaching to help inform, inspire and motivate the generation who can really shape the future.

Bringing the coast to the classroom: our brand new resources

With many UK schools some distance from the coast, we're giving all students the opportunity to learn about and be inspired by our seas and the wider ocean. But just how do we help inner-city teachers (and coastal ones) have the confidence to teach ocean literacy?

When lockdown hit and our education team was unable to visit schools and other youth groups, we began creating more online resources and delivering online.

We've completed the primary school content and have recently uploaded new secondary resources, looking at biodiversity, the benefits to humans of various ecosystems, and wider threats. We'll also be revamping our on-beach education package.

The aim is to give teachers the confidence to teach ocean literacy.

Our lesson packs contain everything a teacher needs - including lesson plans, fact files, worksheets and posters. All lessons are linked to our core areas of work . Students will learn about adaptation, food webs, life cycles and animal classification, meeting fascinating marine creatures along the way.

"It's tough for any teacher to inspire their class on a subject they know very little about. Teaching about the ocean certainly falls into that category."
Rachael Wright, Education Officer at Marine Conservation Society

Sustainable seafood series - Where food comes from and what makes it sustainable
Marine litter series - How litter enters the ocean, why it's bad for the environment and what we can do to reduce our impact, with separate lessons on our top campaigns.
Protect the ocean lessons - Key threats and what we can do to protect the oceans
Additional resources focussing on the relationship, thoughts and feelings that connect people to blue spaces, inland and by the sea

As things start to return to normal, our team of education staff and volunteers are heading back into schools to deliver new sessions. But it's not all about classroom learning. We've also designed a new education pack to enable schools to take part in litter surveys in their local area.

Connecting youth voices

Credit: Kirsty Crawford
Credit: Kirsty Crawford
Credit: Kirsty Crawford
Credit: Jake Tims

Our Work

In the run-up to COP26, members of our education and engagement teams developed an exciting and topical project connecting four schools from the UK and the UK Overseas Territories.

The aim was to develop ocean literacy and a shared understanding of the essential role of coastal habitats in providing ecosystem services, including coastal protection, carbon cycling, and supporting biodiversity.

Our goals were that young people involved would:

Know: Increase ocean literacy and awareness of the essential role of coastal habitats amongst young people in the UK and the Caribbean, with a particular focus on blue carbon
Feel: Young people in the UK and the Caribbean to feel more connected to each other through our shared ocean, enabling peer-to-peer learning whilst fostering engagement
Do: Feel empowered to make their voices heard through videos.

Two live lessons were developed looking at climate and the sea, as well as the relationship between the young people and their local ocean habitats. The lessons also included the opportunity to create videos which were shared at COP26 events in Glasgow.

We hope to continue with more of this engaging and thought-provoking work in the future.

Young people across Scotland have been taking part in a new marine-themed education experience.

The ‘Protecting Scotland’s Seas’ education roadshow provides schools and youth groups with the opportunity to engage with the marine and outdoor environment, and covers topics including climate science, blue carbon and ocean acidification.

Children also get to know some of the fascinating marine creatures that call Scotland home.

With support and funding from Crown Estate Scotland, The Britford Bridge Trust and Scottish Fishermen’s Trust, our Volunteer and Community Engagement Manager in Scotland, Kirsty Crawford, has been visiting schools across the country, delivering hands-on workshops, school assemblies and immersive outdoor experiences – there’s even an online option, too.

By September 2022, the roadshow will have reached 6,000 children in 50 schools and youth groups across Scotland, helping young voices be heard on issues around climate change and environmental action.

Young people taking part in the roadshow will also have the chance to champion youth-led action in citizen science programmes like the Great British Beach Clean and the Big Seaweed Search. They’ll be gathering vital data on the health of the ocean to help inform our campaigns and push for change.

Schools and groups in Scotland can still book the roadshow by emailing kirsty.crawford@mcsuk.org

We’re working with Dive Project Cornwall on a new project for secondary students to win a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Dive Project Cornwall is giving 20 students from 20 secondary schools across the UK the chance to visit the beautiful Cornish coastline and learn to dive, discovering the ocean on our doorstep like never before.

These 400 lucky teenagers will achieve their PADI Open Water Diver certification and take part in a learning programme – led by our education team – starting in the classroom and finishing on the beach.

We'll be leading a day of beach learning, citizen science and ecological exploration to raise awareness of the importance of the planet's marine environment. We want to ignite an understanding, appreciation and connection to the ocean in our young people.

Find out more about Dive Project Cornwall and this project at https://www.diveprojectcornwall.co.uk/

Championing the power of youth

Youth involvement in the environmental movement is at an all-time high, and we’re excited to be championing the #PowerofYouth.

Our Youth Engagement Officer, Katie, will be creating numerous opportunities for young people ages five to 25 to get involved in our work.

While our formal education programme provides high quality curriculum-linked activities for schools, our youth engagement programme will grow with the guidance of the young people we’re working with.

We hope to welcome youth organisation groups from all walks of life to participate in our learning and engagement, as well as inspire young individuals to take personal action.

Young people are the energy, passion and hope at the forefront of that work. We’re looking forward to encouraging young people from across the UK to play their part in the protection and advocacy of our marine environment, both face-to-face and virtually.

"There’s been an unprecedented rise in the passion of young people around the globe for conservation. Their voices have become so strong that world leaders, politicians and those in power are having to listen, learn and act."
Katie Macfarlane, Youth Engagement Officer

Explore our education activities

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