Copejans, E.

Crouch, F.

Fauville, G.

Open Marine Archive

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The European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA), 
providing learning opportunities and resources for teachers 
Crouch Fiona1, Evy Copejans2 and Géraldine Fauville3 
1 Marine Biological Association (MBA), Plymouth, United Kingdom 
E-mail: ficr@mba.ac.uk  
2 Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), InnovOcean site, Wandelaarkaai 7, 8400 Oostende, Belgium  
3 The Sven Lovén Centre for Marine Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden 
 
Why should teachers learn more about ocean sciences?  
If teachers have little to no knowledge regarding to ocean science principles and no awareness of 
the challenges the ocean and coasts are facing, can we expect them to teach students effectively?  
Teachers and environmental educators are thus important agents for the ocean. But an effective 
educational transformation depends upon how motivated, capable and supported our science 
teachers and educators in coastal centres or aquaria are. So it is critical to pay close attention to 
how we engage each one of them to develop a long lasting and caring attitude towards the marine 
and coastal environment.  
 
The European Marine Science Educators Association (www.EMSEA.eu) is dedicated to provide such 
opportunities by co-organising multiday conferences for professional development throughout 
Europe, starting with the First Conference on Ocean Literacy in Bruges, 2012 and the EMSEA-
conference taking place in Plymouth (UK) in 2013. With these conferences EMSEA strives to establish 
meaningful relationships between educators and members of the ocean science community and to 
facilitate the exchange of best practices in marine education. Europe has much to offer in terms of 
valuable marine projects and educational materials, but the efforts are often poorly visible, and thus 
seldom used by others. 
  
During the EMSEA-conference in Plymouth (2013), co-organised by the Marine Biological Association 
(MBA), both new and experienced teachers and educators from all over Europe will have the 
opportunity to share ideas, experiences and resources, network and to participate in interesting 
scientific lectures and excursions along the beautiful Devon coast. 
Investing in collaborations with teachers and educators will no doubt have considerable currency for 
many years to come. 


The European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA), providing learning opportunities and resources for teachers

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