OceanTeacher Global Academy

Summary

Global change requires studying the ocean in more detail and at longer and larger scales. Capacity development and training on standard survey techniques and the use of simple sensors has been identified as a tool to enhance ocean observation. This course serves as an introduction to oceanographic survey techniques and data processing. It is designed for Early Career Ocean Professionals (ECOPs), students, and other oceanographers who intend to pursue oceanography and marine sciences. Relevant oceanographic (physical, chemical, and biological) datasets will collected and used during the training, making it easy to relate, understand, and apply the course concept.

Venue: AquaBioTech Group, Mosta, Malta

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the learners are expected to:

• Be familiar with oceanographic survey techniques.
• Understand how to use simple data collection tools and sensors.
• Be familiar with measurement of temperature, salinity, turbidity, depth oxygen and chlorophyll.
• Produce meaningful descriptive statistics and informative graphs from raw data.
• Results interpretation and discussion for scientific communication and writing.

Course contents

The course will be divided into 4 modules:

Module 1: Field sampling techniques for basic coastal oceanographic parameters

• Introduction to oceanographic parameters temperature, salinity, turbidity, depth oxygen and chlorophyll.
• Preparing a field work checklist,
• Safety measures during field work
• Calibration, and deploying of sensors and equipment
• Field surveys

Module 2: Data visualization and management

• Data retrieval
• Data entry
• Data visualization in R software using ggplot package
• Simple analysis using R
• Data management: storage, sharing and repository

Module 3: Basics of scientific writing

• Language and structure
• Graphics and visuals
• Citation and referencing
• Plagiarism

Module 4: Basics of science communication and outreach

• Language and sentence structure in science communication
• PowerPoint Presentation
• Visuals for infographics
• Policy briefs

Target audience

ECOPs who are enrolled in a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree, or have completed their Masters Degree and intend to use this knowledge in their academic or research related work. No prior R knowledge will be required, but knowledge on basics of oceanography is desired.  The current course is specifically targeting ECOPs from and/or based in the Mediterranean region (from Southern Europe, Northern Africa and Western Middle East).

Language of instruction: English

Moderators and Instructors

Ines Boujmil – Aqua Biotech Group

Dr. Anabel von Jackwoski - Stockholm University

Mr. Gabriel Akoko Juma – Alfred Wegener Institute, Germany

Organizers

This course is being organized with the support of the Early Career Ocean Professionals Programme, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Stockholm University, Aqua Biotech Group, International Ocean Institute, Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence on Sustainable Blue Economy and UNESCO-IOC Ocean Teacher Global Academy.

Summary

Course description:

The coastal erosion problem affects several regions worldwide. The causes of this problem are sites specific and not always understood. In this way, understanding the possible mitigation measures for this problem and the impact that each coastal intervention strategy can represent on the shoreline evolution allows for a more informed action by the decision-makers and competent entities.

Learning outcomes:

Participants should become aware of the complexity of the coastal processes, possible coastal intervention measures and their positive and negative impacts, and existing tools/numerical models to help planners and decision-makers.

Course content: 

• Coastal erosion causes and mitigation measures
• Mapping the risk of coastal erosion
• Costs and benefits of coastal defense interventions
• Policies, monitoring and artificial nourishments measures
• Case Study: numerical modeling.

Target audience:

Public officials, planners, civil protection, project engineers, researchers and anyone interested in the impact of different coastal defense measures on the long-term shoreline evolution. No prerequisite is required, but knowledge in coastal engineering aspects are an advantage.

Language of instruction:

English

Instructors:

• Mr Carlos Coelho
• Ms Márcia Lima

The purpose of this course is to introduce the concept, process and indicators of the UNESCO-IOC Tsunami Ready Recognition Programme.

Ocean colour analysis is a proven tool for determining the health of ocean using oceanic biological activity through optical means. Phytoplankton pigment, chlorophyll, are indicators of equilibrium of CO₂ concentration between atmosphere and ocean. The oceanic colour changes due to chlorophyll a provides the level of primary productivity whereas the colour change due to CDOM can be attributed to the level of pollution and higher particulate matter. The ability of optical sensors to map the spatial and temporal patterns of ocean colour over regional and global scales has provided important insights into the fundamental bio-optical properties and bio-physical processes occurring in the aquatic media. Chlorophyll, SST and PAR can be operationally scaled up to estimate primary production and estimate the fish stocks. This training focuses on the basics of marine optics, ocean colour remote sensing, and its applications such as mapping primary productivity, phytoplankton classes and algal blooms.

Find all details about this course in: https://oceanexpert.org/event/4299 ;

Attendance to this course is by application only. Access will be granted to the selected participants.

A.    Knowledge:

• Recall key terms related to microplastic pollution.
  
• Identify the main environmental impacts of microplastics.
  
• Identify different types of microplastics commonly found in aquatic environments
  
• List the different abiotic factors relevant to marine ecosystems.
  

B.     Comprehension:

• Describe the importance of microplastics analysis in environmental research.

C.     Applying:

• Collaborate with other pupils to apply sampling protocol to collect microplastic samples in different aquatic environments.
• Use scientific equipment to measure abiotic factors in marine ecosystems.
• Apply Erasmus Maris protocol for the analysis of environmental samples.

D.    Analysis:

• Interpret data collected during the Erasmus Maris week and compare microplastic concentrations between rivers and seas and/or between different samples.

E.     Synthesis and evaluation

• Assess the environmental impact of microplastic pollution based on the data collected.

Registration

Participation in this course is closed to representatives from the ten schools participating in the Erasmus Maris program, spread across six different countries in Europe. Each school chose 6 students to participate in the training, accompanied by their respective teachers. 

The training course will focus on utilizing satellite technology to provide accurate wave height and sea surface height information to support marine operations. Several types of satellite altimetry data will be explored. By the utilization of satellite altimetry data, forecasted wave height output from Numerical Weather Prediction (NWP) will be verified. The course will also examine the usage of various satellite observations to monitor significant wave height, sea surface height, and sea level rise. Throughout the course, trainees will have the opportunity to develop their skills in satellite data processing, interpretation, analysis, and visualization.

Ocean acidification (OA) is a global environmental issue caused by the continuing release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This course covers the causes of ocean acidification, associated chemical changes, its effects on marine organisms and the global ocean, how to measure ocean acidification, how to plan appropriate observations in the field and experiments in the laboratory, and the political response to the threat of ocean acidification on the global, regional and local scale.

This course may be completed online remotely or online at the University of Ghana OTGA RTC. It is organized by the leads of the Building CapacIty in Ocean AcidificaTion MoniToring in the Gulf of GuineA (BIOTTA) project at the University of Ghana with the support of The Ocean Foundation and the IOC Ocean Science Section. The course content has been made available by the IOC Ocean Science Section and ocean acidification experts. This course is envisioned to provide baseline ocean acidification knowledge to multiple levels of researchers and students at institutions that will be receiving GOA-ON in a Box kits to conduct ocean acidification monitoring in 2024.

The Advanced Phytoplankton Course series (APC) was initiated in the 1970s at the University of Oslo with the support of UNESCO and its Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC). Subsequent Courses were held from 1985 to 2015 at the Stazione Zoologica Anton Dohrn (SZN), in 2012 at the University of Copenhagen and in 2019 at the Station Biologique de Roscoff (SBR). Over the last four decades, APC has contributed to the dissemination of the vast and ever-expanding body of knowledge on phytoplankton taxonomy, which has recently gained renewed interest because of its importance for interpreting advanced high-throughput imaging and molecular data. Many of the current experts in marine phytoplankton research have been trained at previous APC editions. 

The 13th Advanced Phytoplankton Course (APC13) is organized by SZN together with SBR, the IOC Science and Communication Centre on Harmful Algae (IOC UNESCO / SCCHA) and Ocean Teacher Global Academy (IOC UNESCO / OTGA). 

Welcome to the IOC-UNESCO Co-design for the Ocean Decade course, a meticulously structured programme spanning six modules, each dedicated to unfolding the intricacies of co-design in the realm of sustainable ocean development. From a foundational introduction to the nuanced exploration of joint vision setting, stakeholder engagement, partnership cultivation, and sustainability strategies, this course delves deep into the principles and practices pivotal for co-design's success within the Ocean Decade's framework. Enriched with expert insights, quizzes, and diverse learning materials, it aims to equip participants with the knowledge, skills, and collaborative ethos necessary to contribute effectively to the Ocean Decade's ambitious goals, fostering a community of learners poised to drive meaningful change in ocean science and policy.

The experts participating in this series of virtual event recognized that those involved in transdisciplinary research require different skills and knowledge to skilfully carry out each of the stages (co-design, co-production and co-delivery) of transdisciplinary research. Experts’ recommendations include amongst others developing training courses on transdisciplinary research and facilitating their integration into undergraduate and postgraduate curricula. Additionally, building the scientific capacity of the next generation of researchers and professionals (early-career ocean professionals, ECOPs) to develop the right set of skills and manoeuvrer the tools and methods specific to transdisciplinary research, was also encouraged by the group of experts.

•     Understand co-design Concepts (Understanding)
•     Analyze the objectives and strategies outlined in the Ocean Decade's implementation plan (Analysing)
•     Apply the learned co-design steps to develop a conceptual Decade Action Project idea (Applying)
•     Develop Joint Vision and Objectives for co-design Projects (Creating)
•     Identify and Map Relevant Stakeholders (Analysing)
•     Formulate Stakeholder Engagement Strategies (Creating)
•     Design an Equal Partnership Plan (Creating)
•     Develop a Sustainability and Impact Monitoring Plan (Creating, Evaluating)

This course covers a wide range of topics related to marine/maritime spatial planning (MSP), including the connections with integrated ocean governance approaches, the process for developing a marine spatial plan, and how to use a marine spatial plan at the global, regional, and local levels. It will explore the definition and elements of an effective MSP from a theoretical perspective and further present how these theoretical approaches are delivered through the MSP process.