High quality outreach materials for sea and ocean centralized in the Sea Change Ocean EDGE database

Photo: VLIZ - Delphine Vanhaecke

In the Sea Change project, the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) developed the Ocean EDGE database (European Database of Good Examples in marine education and outreach) for the collection of a wide array of resources from all over Europe, and intended for a wide range of audiences, including children and students, formal and informal educators, activists, scientists, governmental officials and decision makers, etc.

The database currently holds 133 resources, carefully selected items from renowned European organisations specialized in marine (science) communication. The resources can be selected upon target audience, language, country, type of activity or resource type. But one can search through the database using any keyword as well. A short description of the resource allows users to have a quick overview of what it represents, and a link to the original resource or activity is provided.

This dataset is unique in Europe, and has the potential to become a central hub for anyone interested in marine educational or outreach stories to find information, materials and inspiration for new activities to raise awareness on the ocean.

The VLIZ, together with the Sea Change consortium, are currently building on including possibilities for the database to grow organically, while still keeping its structure and safeguarding the quality and usefulness of the resources presented.

Do you often work with children or the public at large around the sea or ocean? Please, take some time out in the Ocean EDGE database to get inspired!

Do you have any questions or would you like to do add something? Fill out the online survey or contact Mieke Sterken (mieke.sterken@vliz.be) and Jan Seys (jan.seys@vliz.be / +32-(0)478-32 64 13).