Project Assistant：KUO,CHIA-YU

To increase awareness of the United Nations’ Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (the “Ocean Decade”) framework for action, the Marine Education Center held its 2025 Level Blue (Advanced) Marine Educator Training Program in Tainan City. The program united marine education professionals from across Taiwan in exploring the core vision of “using the science we need to create the ocean we want.” Beginning by exploring environmental impacts associated with the ocean and strategies to mitigate them, the program deepened the participants’ knowledge of the ocean, integrating environmental ethics and instructional resources to promote teaching practices centered on ocean sustainability.

The 5-day program was designed to balance in-depth knowledge with practical applications in three areas: marine natural sciences, the humanities, and social perspectives. Sessions to promote community leadership, event planning, and curriculum design complemented the primary sessions. Early in the program, team-based activities and community-building strategies were employed to foster a collaborative learning environment.

The natural sciences course invited the participants to acquire a deep understanding of wetland hydrological cycles and the ecological value of mudflats. A nocturnal field observation provided an opportunity to experience firsthand the biodiversity of coastal windbreak forests. Additionally, the humanities and social sciences courses guided the participants to engage with critical topics such as coastal change, climate adaptation strategies in the Qigu Lagoon, and the coexistence of fisheries and renewable energy infrastructure. These discussions encouraged critical reflection on the deep interconnections between local communities and marine environments.

The program also highlighted the adaptive use of museum and educational site resources. For example, during the Instructional Development course, the participants were guided to design marine-themed lesson plans that bridged specialized knowledge and local action. The program concluded with a presentation session in which the participants showcased their learning journeys, shared feedback, and engaged in peer exchanges, laying a solid foundation for advancing interdisciplinary marine education in Taiwan.

The Level Blue (Advanced) Marine Educator Training Program adopted an interdisciplinary and action-oriented instructional approach that deepened educators’ understanding of sustainable ocean development, enhanced their teaching abilities, and cultivated a cohort of marine education practitioners capable of engaging in meaningful actions to protect the ocean. The program organizers hope that these educators will continue to thrive in their teaching, leveraging action-driven curriculum design and community engagement to collectively advance a shared vision for the ocean.