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.

Details: https://oceanexpert.org/event/4367

Ce cours explore la Planification de l’Espace Marin/Maritime (PEM), sa relation avec d'autres approches de gouvernance intégrée de l’océan, le processus d'élaboration d'un plan de l’espace marin et comment l’utiliser. Il explore la définition et les éléments d'un plan de l’espace marin efficace d'un point de vue théorique et cherche ensuite à présenter la mise en œuvre de ces approches théoriques dans le cadre du processus de PEM.

L'importance de la Planification de l’Espace Marin/Maritime (PEM) sera explorée et des activités d'apprentissage seront organisées pour aider à comprendre la PEM, comment développer un plan d'espace marin et comment utiliser la PEM pour une bonne prise de décision. L'importance de préparer le contexte pour le développement du plan, l'engagement inclusif des parties prenantes et les considérations de genre, les aspects transfrontaliers ainsi que l’acquisition des données solides comme base de la planification de l'espace marin seront explorés. Des études de cas provenant du monde entier et portant sur différentes approches de l'élaboration et de l'utilisation des PEM seront également présentées.

Este curso explora la planificación espacial marina/ marítima (PEM), su relación con otros enfoques de gobernanza integrada de los océanos, el proceso de elaboración de un plan espacial marino/marítimo y cómo utilizar un plan espacial marino/marítimo. Explora la definición y los elementos de la planificación espacial marina/marítima efectiva desde una perspectiva teórica y luego presenta cómo se aplican estos enfoques teóricos a través del proceso PEM.

Se explorará la importancia de la planificación espacial marina/marítima (PEM) y se realizarán actividades de aprendizaje para apoyar la comprensión de la PEM, cómo desarrollar un plan espacial marino/marítimo y cómo utilizar la PEM para una buena toma de decisiones. Se explorará la importancia de establecer el escenario para el desarrollo del plan, la participación inclusiva de las partes interesadas y las consideraciones de género, los aspectos transfronterizos y la evidencia de datos sólidos como base de la PEM. Se incluirán estudios de casos de todo el mundo sobre distintos enfoques de la elaboración y el uso de planes espaciales marinos/marítimos.

Learning outcomes:

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 course aims to provide baseline knowledge about marine litter and microplastic pollution in the ocean for activists working in the field and engaged in monitoring programs. The goals are to enable the participants to understand the reasons that make plastics a material of concern to the ocean and human health, and identify the physical and chemical properties of plastic found in marine compartments.

Participation: Attendance by application (closed January 10, 2024)

Official announcement: https://oceanexpert.org/event/4039

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.

Learning goals

•     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.

The learning resources explain the importance of marine spatial planning (MSP) and the activities aim to increase understanding about how to develop a marine spatial plan, how to use this plan for better decision-making, the importance of setting the scene for plan development, how to conduct inclusive stakeholder engagement, gender considerations, transboundary aspects, and robust data evidence. The course also has case studies from around the world exploring different approaches to MSP development and uses of marine spatial plans.

This training workshop provides an introduction for NODCs and ADUs involved in the development, implementation and management of a Quality Management System which will assist in the adoption of comprehensive management practices and increased confidence in the quality of their data, products and services.

This course will provide a comprehensive introduction for the management and archive of marine biological data, including the guiding principles of biological data management and typical responsibilities for data managers. Several types of biological data will be tackled, including observational data, image-derived data and omics data and how these data can be formatted, standardized and quality controlled before being submitted to wider regional, national and international initiatives. Watch the video below for a brief overview and introduction.

  

  

Find all the information on how to enroll in this course on OceanExpert: https://oceanexpert.org/event/4213