On Thursday, October 4, an innovative online learning experience that is transforming the way we learn about and engage with the ocean officially became available to students across Canada.
combines leading educational technologies with compelling storytelling techniques to immerse youth in the world of ocean science and culture.聽 Guided by young explorers and Dal鈥檚 own Boris Worm (Ocean School鈥檚 scientific director, as well as a faculty member in the Department of Biology) students are able to join ocean experts as they tackle the complex and increasingly urgent challenges of understanding and protecting the global ocean.
Biology prof Boris Worm, scientific director of Ocean School, speaks at the October 4 launch.
Founded by AV俱乐部 and the (NFB), Ocean School operates in partnership with , and within AV俱乐部, under the auspices of the . The work launched on October 4 was created with support from a variety of partners, including , and the .
鈥淎s an international leader in ocean research, AV俱乐部 is proud to be a part of this ground-breaking initiative that will immerse youth across the country in ocean science and culture,鈥� said AV俱乐部 President Richard Florizone.
鈥淥cean School is playing a critical role, not only in increasing ocean literacy in Canada, but also in fostering the next generation of marine experts. We look forward to continuing our work with the National Film Board of Canada and our many esteemed partners on this innovative and impactful program.鈥�
Watch the announcement:
An immersive ocean journey
Those on-hand for launch were able to experience the technology first-hand with a group of 25 students from a school in Halifax.
These students participated in the pilot phase of the project in the spring of 2018, and joined the Ocean School team onsite at AV俱乐部 on October 4 to engage with breathtaking videos, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), 360-degree experiences, interactive games and other multimedia as they were digitally transported from the classroom to the forefront of ocean research, innovation, industry and culture.
鈥淵oung people care about the ocean and understand the urgent need to protect it,鈥� said The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard in a news release.
鈥淚 am pleased that our government is supporting innovative flagship projects like Ocean School 鈥� because it equips our youth with the tools and resources to become the next generation of ocean scientists, innovators, and leaders. By working together, we can ensure that our marine ecosystems are sustainable and healthy for generations to come.鈥�
The first unit of Ocean School is based on scientific expeditions in the Canadian North Atlantic. Students will utilize a wide range of learning tools and experiences throughout the unit, such as piloting an underwater robot in the Gulf of St. Lawrence and discovering the history of cod through the eyes of an indigenous artist.
Additional Ocean School units filmed in the Canadian North Pacific and off the coast of Costa Rica are currently in production, and will become available to learners in 2019. Future content filmed in the Canadian Arctic and around the world will follow shortly after.
鈥淭he first component of the NFB鈥檚 new educational offer, Ocean School, showcases creativity and innovation,鈥� says Claude Joli-Coeur, Government Film Commissioner and Chairperson of the National Film Board of Canada. 鈥淭his learning experience will improve our knowledge of the global ocean as it gives young Canadians the tools they need to become agents of change.鈥�
Content is freely available at , and is fully bilingual. More information about this educational offer can be found at .
