Project Assistant：SUNG,YU-HSUAN

　　In support of World Oceans Day, which takes place on June 8 each year, the Ministry of Education called for artists to create picture books for the second Marine Science Picture Book Competition. The theme this year (2022) was “Protect the Sea,” which comprised three dimensions, namely safeguard the coast, plastic reduction, and fish-eating education. Participants were distinguished into five categories, namely students from elementary school, junior high school, senior high school, and college and teachers. After a three-stage judging process, 42 works were selected. These works have been scanned and uploaded to the Marine Education Week section of Taiwan Marine Education Center’s website for educators to download for teaching purposes ( https://tmec.ntou.edu.tw/p/412-1016-10639.php?Lang=zh-tw ).

　　To encourage local governmental agencies to integrate resources from local marine education resource centers, social education institutions, and schools to host marine poetry promotion events during Marine Education Week, Taiwan Marine Education Center launched the nationwide Marine Science Picture Book Competition. In addition to promoting marine education and the pleasure of reading picture books, this competition provides a positive experience for marine education contributors committed to integrating marine science with art creation and for individuals who simply enjoy reading.

　　The works selected for the second Marine Science Picture Book Competition toured the country, beginning in Lieyu Township Library in Kinmen County (August 1 to 14), followed by National Library of Public Information (August 2 to September 11), Kinmen County Library (August 16 to 31), Hualien City Library Children’s Branch (September 6 to 25), National Museum of Marine Science and Technology (October 1 to November 30), and Anping District Library in Tainan City (October 4 to 30). At the six stops, 19,059 visitors interested in learning about marine science and in appreciating cultural beauty viewed these art works.