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The Centre for Ocean Ventures and Entrepreneurship (COVE), supported by Irving Shipbuilding, are excited to increase ocean literacy in classrooms by introducing the Taking Making into Classrooms: Ocean Toolkit.
“We developed this toolkit to support teachers who were looking for creative ways to integrate experiential ocean education into their practice. We want to encourage young people to be curious about the ocean, and to also recognize that ocean STEM concepts include, but go beyond, ecosystems and ecology – there’s a whole world of Ocean-related engineering, technology and economies to explore!” said Dr. Sherry Scully, Director of Learning & Organizational Development, COVE.
The Marine People Partnership, operating through COVE, facilitated a multi-day conference in July 2018 for 50+ educators from across Nova Scotia on experiential ocean education. The input from the teachers during this conference helped formulate the Ocean Toolkit which will allow teachers to foster more ocean literacy and stewardship in their classrooms. Modelled on the Taking Making into Classrooms toolkits developed by colleagues associated with the Innovative Learning Centre at the University of British Columbia (Kelowna Campus), the Ocean Toolkit is the sixth toolkit in this series.
The Ocean Toolkit has been assembled from the hard work and collaboration of educators from across the province, and through support and partnerships with Dr. Susan Crichton, Innovative Learning Centre, the Nova Scotia Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, and Irving Shipbuilding Inc.
A team from Irving Shipbuilding including, Cortney Banks, Kayla Jackman, James Brunelle, Adele Scott, Joe McCarthy, and Sarah Simpson, put together a package of blueprints and instructions so classes could build their very own Arctic and Offshore Patrol Ship (AOPS). The activity will help students get an idea of the work of the engineers, skilled trades people, quality inspectors, and project managers who are building six AOPS for the Royal Canadian Navy at Halifax Shipyard as part of the National Shipbuilding Strategy.
"We are proud to be working with these partners to inspire future generations of Canadian shipbuilders. Introducing students to the ocean sector at an early age is key to growing and developing our workforce," said Kevin McCoy, President, Irving Shipbuilding.
Canada’s lead AOPS, the future HMCS Harry DeWolf, will be delivered to the Navy in summer 2019.
Funding for the Marine People Partnership is part of Irving Shipbuilding’s Value Proposition commitments under the National Shipbuilding Strategy. To date, Irving Shipbuilding has committed more than $12 million in Value Proposition investments toward creating a sustainable marine industry across Canada.
