NSTA and NMEA Release Joint Position Statement on Ocean Literacy

New Statement Says: You Can’t Be Scientifically or Environmentally Literate Without Being Ocean Literate

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and the National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) have released a joint position statement emphasizing the need to include ocean science as a vital component of K-12 science curriculum and instruction.

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“As educators, we have a responsibility to provide students with the knowledge necessary to address the urgent challenges of our time, from climate change to resource sustainability,” said NSTA President Alicia Conerly, Ed.D. “This position statement underscores the importance of ocean literacy as an integral part of science education. By incorporating ocean science into the curriculum, we are not only deepening students’ understanding of our planet’s systems but also equipping them with the information needed to make informed, responsible decisions for the future of our world.”

The statement includes six declarations, or recommendations, for educators, schools, district and state administrators, parents, policymakers, developers of instructional materials and assessments, and providers of educator preparation and professional learning programs to implement within their science education programs, classes, and curricula. The declarations include:

• To be scientifically or environmentally literate, you must be Ocean literate. To make decisions and take action regarding current and future challenges, we need a scientifically and environmentally literate population with a deep understanding of the Ocean.
• Teaching and learning about the Ocean is essential for students to overcome terrestrial bias and achieve the goals of the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS). Terrestrial bias unintentionally ensures that students have few opportunities to learn about the unique and ecologically important organisms and processes that occur in the vast majority of the living space on Earth: in the Ocean. Learning about Ocean concepts is required for students to fully meet 20%–25% of all the Performance Expectations (PEs) and Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCIs) in the NGSS.
• Everyone lives in the Ocean watershed. With everyone living in the Ocean watershed, the Ocean perspective provides learners with access to and experience with an interdisciplinary and systems thinking approach needed to understand the complexity of Earth’s interacting biosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and atmosphere.
• Ocean Literacy is a pathway to equity and Ocean justice. Including the Ocean throughout science curriculum and instruction can provide all students—especially those from communities of color, and in landlocked or urban areas—with inspiration, motivation, and access to the opportunity to continue learning about the importance of the Ocean.
• Ocean Literacy is critical to meeting current and future climate-related challenges. Understanding the Ocean-atmosphere interface is critical for individuals and communities to make evidence-based decisions leading to actions that adapt to and mitigate the impact of climate change and build a more resilient future.
• The Ocean Literacy Framework should be widely integrated into curriculum and instruction. The inclusion of the Ocean Literacy Framework will foster a deeper appreciation and understanding of the Ocean that can contribute to stewardship, critical thinking, and the use of science and engineering practices.

"Working with the National Science Teaching Association to craft this joint statement is more than just our associations writing words,” said Tara Hicks Johnson, NMEA President (2024-2025). “It’s a chance to inspire action, spark awareness, and shape a future where our connection to the ocean is understood and valued."

The statement was jointly developed through a consensus-building approach by a team of educators, scientists, and other education experts from NSTA and NMEA, and adopted by both organizations' Board of Directors.

To represent the concerns and interests of its members and greater science teaching community, NSTA and NMEA require a voice that is identifiable, influential, and informed. This aim is achieved in part through taking positions on matters related to science and education. Position statements provide a platform for NSTA and NMEA to inform stakeholders of the science and marine educator perspective. This statement serves as a guiding document, helping to raise the profile of the teaching profession, promoting respect, and ensuring investment that supports high-quality science education for all.

About NSTA

The National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) is a vibrant community of 35,000 science educators and professionals committed to best practices in teaching science and its impact on student learning. NSTA offers high-quality science resources and continuous learning so that science educators grow professionally and excel in their career. For new and experienced teachers alike, the NSTA community offers the opportunity to network with like-minded peers at the national level, connect with mentors and leading researchers, and learn from the best in the field. For more information, visit www.nsta.org, or follow NSTA on X, formerly known as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or LinkedIn.

About NMEA

National Marine Educators Association (NMEA) is a dedicated, influential member-based organization of classroom teachers, informal educators, university professors, scientists, and more from around the world working together to advance the understanding and protection of our freshwater and marine ecosystems. From scientists working in the deep sea to students studying underwater archeology in the Great Lakes, NMEA members are dedicated to making known the world of water, both fresh and salt. For more information, visit marine-ed.org, or follow @natlmarineed on Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

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