Sea Vision launches maritime Action Packs
Sea Vision, the campaign working to raise awareness of the sea and the maritime sector has launched a unique range of downloadable education resources. The packs, aimed at children aged between 11 and 16 years old, feature people working in many different parts of the maritime sector.
Sponsored by Trinity House, the organisation responsible for aids to navigation in England, Wales and the Channel Islands and the UK’s largest endowed maritime charity, the new education materials have been developed for Key Stage 3 and 4 of the UK National Curriculum in Science, Mathematics and Environmental Studies. The packs use interactive video footage which has been filmed in different locations including scientific laboratories, on the coast and at sea. Compiled by a specialist education publisher and reviewed by a teachers’ panel, the new resources set analytical challenges, ask and then answer curriculum based questions and raise points for class discussion. The packs have already received much positive feedback.
Rear Admiral Sir Jeremy de Halpert, executive chairman of Trinity House, said, ‘We are strong believers in the importance of education. Through our maritime charity arm we do much to ensure messages about the importance of the sea to the UK economy and the need for safety at sea are passed to a wide range of age groups. The Sea Vision activity packs perfectly complement our objectives and we are extremely pleased to have been able to support them.’
Mark Brownrigg, chairman of Sea Vision added, ‘We are delighted to be launching these new education packs because they provide practical support for key areas of the curriculum, showing how crucial the sea and the maritime sector are to modern day society.
‘How many young people in this country realise that so much of what they take for granted, for example trainers, TVs, computers – arrive by ship? In fact 92% of all goods in our shops! How many know how much the whole sector contributes to the UK economy? A whopping £55bn each year and 400,000 jobs!
‘Sea Vision is working to raise awareness among the young, the seed-corn of our maritime future. By reaching young people we can improve their perception and appreciation of the sector and demonstrate the amazing breadth of exciting job and career opportunities available to them.’
The Mathematics Action Pack sets challenges around distance, speed and bearings using a P&O Ferries car ferry to demonstrate scenarios. A second officer on the Trinity House navigational aid support vessel Galatea asks questions relating to navigation, and a P&O Ferries second officer discusses load bearing considerations on the car ferry. Meanwhile a Clipper Ventures second mate plans the victualling requirements for an ocean voyage.
In the Science Action Pack, a team of conservation volunteers survey the seashore and marine biologists examine the work being done to conserve sustainable fishing. As THV Gallatea travels from the sea into the river Mersey, the chief officer sets challenges on the density of salt and fresh water and the electro-technical officer demonstrates the importance of electrical circuits.
The Action Packs will be promoted directly to teachers and schools nationwide, as well as through the Sea Vision and Trinity House websites and the teaching trade press. Sea Vision is working to compile a maritime themed listing of education resources, whether visits, activities or actual lesson plans which can then be promoted to teachers and schools as a unique one-stop shop for interesting and exciting materials.
Visit www.seavisionuk.org/education/education_resources.cfm to upload any resources.
