In 2023, the Schools Across the Ocean programme was launched linking 14 schools from the South-West of the UK and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in this innovative programme. Over 700 children aged 10-12 connected their communities, engaged with artists, posed questions to scientists, and co-created a collection of climate poetry and a film showcased at COP28 in Dubia to great acclaim. In doing so, we created the first climate education toolkit for teachers in the UAE. Find out more here.
We are now linking many more schools in UK, UAE and Azerbaijan, and around the world supported by the British Council, Emirates Literature Foundation and Khazar University. Children and teachers have worked creatively with our team to produce more outputs for COP29 in Azerbaijan to get their climate messages noticed by working with Hamishibai cardboard theatre company to create posters displayed in the UK’s Blue Zone delegation room and other venues!
Pupils St Just School in Cornwall, United Kingdom making COP29 films – with thanks to Jim Wileman
The Schools Across the Ocean programme and outputs have been shared at panel discussions in the Blue Zone at the UK Pavilion, and in the Green Zone at the Youth House during COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan. As a legacy of COP28, We Are the Ocean poems and artwork are displayed at Extreme Hangout in the Green Zone, COP29.
Schools Across the Ocean is an ongoing and expanding programme which offers a transdisciplinary approach to climate and ocean literacy for children aged 9-12 over of six one-hour virtual sessions. A toolkit designed by Education Lead, Anita Wood, connects students and educators across the Ocean to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation of global and local environments. In the online sessions students meet each other and scientists to learn and ask questions about climate issues and solutions. They share facts and feelings through live virtual classrooms and through digital platforms. Collaboration and equality are at the heart of what we do.
Through creative workshops led by Dr Sally Flint, Creative Lead of We Are the Possible, we adapt an established a blueprint of weaving and editing creative outputs, so we can best represent all the children taking part in impactful ways. We empower children through taking their work to COP conferences to share with policy makers, and across other venues, to get their climate messages across.
Together our growing partnerships foster a rich learning environment where students explore climate issues, develop critical thinking skills, and make meaningful contributions to ocean conservation and restoration.
We invite you to be a part of the Schools Across the Ocean initiative!
Stay Connected
Keep an eye out for updates on our expanding network and discover how you can get involved in making a difference.
For Educators
If you’re a teacher interested in twinning your class with another class across the ocean, we’d love to hear from you!
For Businesses and Philanthropic Organisations
Your support can help us create a fairer, greener world by providing educational opportunities for children from isolated coastal schools. If you’re a business or philanthropic organisation looking to make an impact, please contact us to learn how you can assist one of the many schools on our waiting list.
Any questions – please contact us:
British Council – Met Office UK – Plymouth Marine Laboratory Project Seagrass – University of Khorfakkan –
Ocean Generation – Kurt Jackson Foundation
