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OAP funds 7 ocean acidification education projects across the nation

Students hike along a coastal trail as part of an ocean acidification literacy program. Provided by Flour Bluff Oceans Program (2023)

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) is pleased to announce the FY24 Education Mini-grant Program awards. The seven projects selected for this competitive grant opportunity will deliver ocean and coastal acidification education tools and programs in new communities. The awarded projects are led by Tribal members, nonprofit organizations, academic institutions, and public organizations. The work will occur across the nation in American Samoa, the U.S. West Coast, Alabama, and North Carolina, filling some gaps in ocean acidification education and outreach.

Ocean and coastal acidification are emerging issues that have far reaching impacts on ocean health and long-term sustainability of ecosystems and people. It is critical that educators have access to the latest science and tools on these topics and are able to effectively share the science of ocean and coastal acidification, potential impacts and positive actions to diverse audiences in accessible ways. 

Each project will address at least one of three goals laid out in the NOAA Ocean Acidification Education Implementation Plan. The proposed work will engage students, particularly from underserved and/or Indigenous communities or Tribes. This funding aims to increase ocean acidification awareness and action, and foster interest in career pathways in NOAA mission disciplines. 

Read more about the funded projects by clicking on the links below.

Alabama Oysters Taste Best with Tabasco, Not Ocean Acidification
Project Leads: Rebecca Domangue and Natalie Ortell, Alabama School of Mathematics and Science
This project creates a new research course for a region that lacks ocean acidification education and links potential food web and industry impacts in the region for youth. This project creates a research course for high school students focused on career development, ocean acidification science and stewardship. The Alabama School of Mathematics and Science (ASMS) in Mobile, Alabama currently serves high school students from 50 counties including from the Poarch Creek Indians tribe. With its unique ability to connect students from across the state to the economic and ecological diversity of the Gulf of Mexico, the team will develop a research course for high school students focused on career development, ocean acidification science and stewardship.  

4-H pH: Ocean Acidification Education in Alaska
Project Lead: Natalie Monacci, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Since Lingít Aaní and the Indigenous communities that reside here are particularly vulnerable to ocean acidification, the University of Alaska Fairbanks (UAF) partnered with 4-H to develop an ocean acidification outreach and education curriculum tailored for youth in this region. The curriculum will focus on ages 5-12 and encompass youth-led monitoring activities.

SMILE: Ocean Acidification Education Program
Project Lead: Renee O’Neill, Oregon State University
This project seeks to address gaps in ocean and environmental education and improve outcomes for Oregon’s underserved and rural youth through the Oregon State University’s Science Math Investigative Learning Experiences (SMILE) Program. This program provides after-school STEM programs for elementary, middle and high school clubs and the team will develop hands-on and grade-level-appropriate educational content and teacher professional development.

Fatoata: Sami a Taeao (Tomorrow’s Ocean)
Project Lead: Vera Peck, Fatoata
American Samoa culture and economies have a close relationship with the local ocean and marine ecosystems, including coral reefs. This project aims to instill a sense of environmental stewardship among students and propose sustainable practices to mitigate the impacts of ocean acidification in American Samoa. Fatoata’s Sami a Taeao Ocean Acidification Education Program will provide students with hands-on activities that bring awareness of ocean acidification and its impact on marine life and empower them to become advocates for change.

Ocean Acidification Science in Schools (OASIS)
Project lead: Karen Peluso-Galaviz, Marine Science Institute
This project provides a hands-on ocean and coastal acidification curriculum to students from a Title I school in Redwood City, California. The program will reach 250 underrepresented 6th grade students from a primarily Hispanic/Latinx community. The team will curate a combination of six classroom activities, three outdoor experiences, and three evaluation activities led by the Marine Science Institute.

Broadening Ocean Acidification Teaching and Learning (BOATL)
Project Leads: Julie Van Sickle, Natural History Museum of Cal Poly Humboldt and Jeffrey White, Cal Poly Humboldt
Providing place-based and culturally-relevant education can contextualize complex challenges like ocean acidification, support marginalized cultures and increase ocean literacy. Broadening Ocean Acidification Teaching and Learning (BOATL) offers teacher professional development and ocean acidification science education to Title 1 schools and local Tribes in the Humboldt, California region. Importantly, it incorporates local indigenous voices and ways of knowing to increase relevance and provide a holistic perspective on ocean acidification and its impacts in the region. 

Discovering Ocean Acidification and Ocean Literacy Principles for Underserved Areas in Rural North Carolina
Project Leads: Erika Young, North Carolina State University and Courtney Lamb, Littlefield Middle School
Several counties in North Carolina face economic challenges and potentially impacts of coastal and ocean acidification on local economies and ways of life. As members of the Lumbee Tribe, project leaders aim to improve environmental and ocean acidification literacy for the tribe and surrounding communities. This project includes three main education modules in Title I schools in four economically challenged counties in southeast North Carolina (Robeson, Hoke, Cumberland, and Scotland counties).

Image: Students hike along a coastal trail as part of an ocean acidification literacy program funded in a past NOAA OAP Education Mini-grant program. Provided by Flour Bluff Oceans Program (2023)

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ADAPTING TO OCEAN ACIDIFICATION

The NOAA Ocean Acidification Program (OAP) works to prepare society to adapt to the consequences of ocean acidification and conserve marine ecosystems as acidification occurs. Learn more about the human connections and adaptation strategies from these efforts.

Adaptation approaches fostered by the OAP include:

FORECASTING

Using models and research to understand the sensitivity of organisms and ecosystems to ocean acidification to make predictions about the future, allowing communities and industries to prepare

MANAGEMENT

Using these models and predictions as tools to facilitate management strategies that will protect marine resources and communities from future changes

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

Developing innovative tools to help monitor ocean acidification and mitigate changing ocean chemistry locally

REDUCING OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT

On the Road

Drive fuel-efficient vehicles or choose public transportation. Choose your bike or walk! Don't sit idle for more than 30 seconds. Keep your tires properly inflated.

With your Food Choices

Eat local- this helps cut down on production and transport! Reduce your meat and dairy. Compost to avoid food waste ending up in the landfill

With your Food Choices

Make energy-efficient choices for your appliances and lighting. Heat and cool efficiently! Change your air filters and program your thermostat, seal and insulate your home, and support clean energy sources

By Reducing Coastal Acidification

Reduce your use of fertilizers, Improve sewage treatment and run off, and Protect and restore coastal habitats

TAKE ACTION WITH YOUR COMMUNITY

You've taken the first step to learn more about ocean acidification - why not spread this knowledge to your community?

Every community has their unique culture, economy and ecology and what’s at stake from ocean acidification may be different depending on where you live.  As a community member, you can take a larger role in educating the public about ocean acidification. Creating awareness is the first step to taking action.  As communities gain traction, neighboring regions that share marine resources can build larger coalitions to address ocean acidification.  Here are some ideas to get started:

  1. Work with informal educators, such as aquarium outreach programs and local non-profits, to teach the public about ocean acidification. Visit our Education & Outreach page to find the newest tools!
  2. Participate in habitat restoration efforts to restore habitats that help mitigate the effects of coastal acidification
  3. Facilitate conversations with local businesses that might be affected by ocean acidification, building a plan for the future.
  4. Partner with local community efforts to mitigate the driver behind ocean acidification  – excess CO2 – such as community supported agriculture, bike & car shares and other public transportation options.
  5. Contact your regional Coastal Acidification Network (CAN) to learn how OA is affecting your region and more ideas about how you can get involved in your community
       More for Taking Community Action