Blueback: What is ocean literacy?

Week 2
Student worksheet
In which ways does the ocean benefit from us learning more about it?
Ocean literacy
“Understanding the ocean’s influence on you, and your influence on the ocean” - (United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)

Three Elements of Ocean Literacy

Understands the essential principles and fundamental concepts of a healthy ocean

Can communicate about the ocean in meaningful ways

Can make informed and responsible decisions regarding the ocean and its resources 

This lesson was made in Partnership

with the Minderoo Foundation. ©2023 Cool Australia Page 1 of 4
Abby's ocean literacy 
Having watched Blueback, we know that Abby is highly ocean literate. Think of different scenes where
Abby demonstrates her ocean literacy. Use this table to help you. 

Ocean literacy element Describe a Blueback scene where Abby shows her ocean literacy.

Understands the essential

principles and fundamental
concepts of a healthy ocean

  Can communicate about

the ocean in meaningful
ways

Can make informed and

responsible decisions
regarding the ocean and its
resources 

This lesson was made in Partnership

with the Minderoo Foundation. ©2023 Cool Australia Page 2 of 4
Educating ourselves
Coral bleaching is one issue impacting the ocean's health. You might like to start your research by
exploring the information on the Great Barrier Reef Foundation's website for coral
bleaching (barrierreef.org/the-reef/threats/coral-bleaching)

Answer these questions: 

What is the problem addressed in the website?

What is the cause of the problem? 

How is it impacting ocean life?

How is it impacting humans?

This lesson was made in Partnership

with the Minderoo Foundation. ©2023 Cool Australia Page 3 of 4
 

How can we help? Or, who is already helping?

Why is ocean literacy important?

Finish the end of these writing prompts:  

I understand that it is important to become ocean literate because …

Becoming ocean literate will help me make a more positive impact on the ocean because… 

This lesson was made in Partnership

with the Minderoo Foundation. ©2023 Cool Australia Page 4 of 4