[O-04] Ocean science communication -different cultures, different ways-

[O04-05] Look into the ocean and find the Earth System -Marine Science for Elementary, Junior High, and High School Students-

*Maki Noguchi Aita¹, Yugo Kanaya¹, Morio Ichihara², Tomomi Nomaki², Hikari Saito³, Reika Sugiura⁴ (1.Earth Surface System Research Center, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 2.Public Relations Section, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology, 3.Human Resources Planning and Diversity Promotion Section, Human Resources Department, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology , 4.Research Support Section I, Research Support Department, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology)

Keywords:Marine Science, STEAM education, Science career support for junior and high school girls, Science communication

Recent changes in the marine environment due to climate change have raised concerns about the impact on marine ecosystems. For example, the frequency of ocean heat waves off the Hokkaido and Tohoku area causes changes in habitat patterns, such as the well-caught Spanish mackerel and yellowtail. Thus, climate issues have become close to our daily lives. These days, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have become widely known in Japan through various media. The SDGs consist of 17 global goals and 169 targets to be achieved by 2030. Goal 14, "Protect the richness of the oceans," includes seven social goals such as "An inspiring and Engaging Ocean", "A Productive Ocean," and "Healthy and Resilient Ocean. It means we are far from achieving our goals, and society should resolve these issues as soon as possible. To accomplish this goal, we need to engage the public in the discussion about global climate and environmental issues and not just within the knowledge of marine scientists. We must create a system society can use to understand science and adequately decide on various environmental issues. It is necessary to generate interest in what challenges exist in the environment surrounding ecosystems, including human beings, and then to create opportunities to think together about what we can do to address those challenges.
On the other hand, there is a worldwide shortage of human resources in science and technology. According to a 2020 report by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC/UNESCO), more than 50% of marine scientists in several developed countries, including Japan, are over 45 years old. Therefore, promoting the participation of young scientists is urgently needed.
The Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) promotes various activities in this context, holding lectures by researchers for the wider community and producing educational materials for use in lectures at schools and other places. For example, to familiarize with global environmental and marine science, the "Global Environment Series" lectures are held yearly and present the latest scientific findings in an easy-to-understand presentation, with more than 500 participants (including online viewing) each time. JAMSTEC also conducts the "Marine Discovery Course" lecture program for the younger generation who will lead the future of society in Japan to inform them about research and development that JAMSTEC is working on to study the oceans and the Earth. Furthermore, Launched in FY2023, the Ocean STEAM Project aims to improve the ocean literacy of local children and develop human resources by STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics, and Arts) education.