Oceanography for Students Living in Coastal Areas

    In today's world, where coastal areas are continuously affected by water pollution impacting marine ecosystems and the communities that depend on them, this educational program was developed for students living in coastal areas. It is considered that they will be the future guardians of the coastal zones of all nations on this planet called Earth. The mission of this program is to develop skills and techniques in young people that will allow them to be self-efficient in their environment and workplace. The aim is to develop citizens capable of protecting and caring for the environment in which they live, which includes their homes, communities, and the borders of their country. This educational program is a guide for teachers of coastal schools and parents who educate their children at home located on the coasts (continental locations). Those who live on islands, although living inland, should know basic concepts of oceanography, since being an island, they are surrounded by the sea. The social aim of this curriculum is to improve the quality of life of people living on coasts and islands.

You are probably asking yourself this question: How can the Oceanography Educational Program for Students Living in Coastal Areas improve the quality of life of citizens? This curriculum integrates in its lessons the development of different types of skills and abilities so that students can integrate them with the knowledge learned in real situations such as protecting coasts from water pollution, protecting marine resources that help sustain families, and reducing the level of poverty and lack of access to basic services like potable water and health care. This program aims to promote students' interest in pursuing careers related to oceanography.

A developed country is one that takes advantage of resources by controlling human activities to avoid depleting the resource that provides them with the means to sustain themselves. Two approaches are used: problem-based learning to have competent citizens capable of wisely and peacefully solving any problem in their environment; and inquiry-based learning, as the goal of the curriculum is to promote careers related to oceanography.

We recognize that in coastal zones and islands, we find exceptional students (gifted children and children with learning difficulties) who need special conditions to cognitively develop their exceptional intellectual, creative, and artistic characteristics. That is why this Oceanography educational program does not focus on memorization, but rather on developing skills and abilities while learning knowledge. This curriculum is also centered on the student, as it aims for students to grow intellectually, be apt for society, and have physical and emotional health.

Inquiry-based learning is an educational methodology that benefits a wide range of students by fostering natural curiosity, keeping them engaged and motivated. It stimulates critical thinking and problem-solving, as it challenges them to formulate questions, investigate, and find solutions. This approach adapts to the student's learning pace (gifted, talented, average, and those with learning difficulties) as they can take the necessary time to understand and master concepts.

The open inquiry approach promotes self-direction and autonomy in students, as the process encourages them to take initiative and be responsible for their own learning, thus developing self-management skills and self-confidence. It creates an inclusive learning environment and strengthens collaboration and communication skills.

The objective of this Oceanography for Students Living in Coastal Areas curriculum is to:

- Increase interest in learning oceanography.

- Understand scientific concepts related to marine living beings.

- Explain phenomena that occur in the oceans and coasts.

- Scientifically investigate phenomena that affect marine life and the human inhabitants of coasts.

- Communicate their scientific findings effectively and objectively to an audience.

- Solve problems that affect the community and coastal and marine living beings.

- Write laboratory reports explaining the purpose of the experiment, the process, and their findings.

- Understand the historical and cultural contributions of oceanography.

- Integrate knowledge from other sciences such as biology, chemistry, physics, mathematics, engineering, and geology.

- Make decisions based on scientific evidence to protect living beings and natural resources.

It is important for students living on coasts or islands to know that water covers most of the Earth's surface, circulates in the crust, oceans, and atmosphere through the water cycle. This water evaporates from the Earth's surface, rises as vapor, condenses, and precipitates as rain or snow, and is stored in lakes, oceans, soils, and underground rocks. Water is a solvent that dissolves minerals and gases brought by the ocean.

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