Seaweek

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Ahoy there matey! Seaweek, 8-17 March 2002, is an annual event aimed at increasing awareness of the marine environment, with a focus on conservation and instilling personal responsibility for looking after the sea. It is organised by the Marine Education Society of Aotearoa (MESA) and has been celebrated since 1992.

The theme for Seaweek 2002 is "Diving Deeper - Exploring Marine Conservation". It challenges us to think more seriously about issues affecting the marine environment and continue awareness and action beyond Seaweek and the occasional beach working-bee.

The issue of marine conservation has been highlighted recently by the stranding of the logging ship the Jody F. Millennium off Gisborne. The ship, carrying hundreds of tonnes of fuel, began leaking oil after it was swept onto a sandbar. Although the leak was contained by the Maritime Safety Authority, many seabirds were affected by the oil leak.

The theme of Seaweek 2002 also recalls the efforts of Sir Peter Blake, who drew world attention to the effects of pollution and exploitation on the sea through blakexpeditions.

Seaweek activities

Field trips are a major feature of Seaweek 2002. There is a calendar of events for each region, beginning with teacher workshops and ranging from walks and cruises to beach clean-ups, museum visits, and craft days. In some regions there are also sculpture, writing, and poster competitions.

MESA has also produced educational materials such as booklets, posters, and display material for Seaweek.

If you would like a fuller description of the events on offer in your region, you can contact your local coordinator: http://nzaee.org.nz/seaweek

Related Hot Topics

Having a Whale of a Time: Ocean Conservation (2 August 2001)
This Hot Topic provides a collection of websites about the ocean, biodiversity, conservation, and resource use.
(http://www.tki.org.nz/r/hot_topics/oceans_e.php)

World Maritime Day (September 1999)
This Hot Topic is a collection of links about ocean and river pollution, marine life, and the importance of protecting the marine environment. It also links to sites with classroom and student activities.
(http://www.tki.org.nz/r/hot_topics/sea_e.php)

Fun activities for Seaweek on TKI

Destination Deep
In this level 1 English unit intended for year 1 and based on the ocean, students will use KidPix or Microsoft Publisher to design a poster using information they have found out about the ocean. Contains links to relevant websites. (http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/deep/home.html)

The Sea
In this level 3 English unit intended for year 5-6, students will practise and extend their understanding and use of language through close reading and transactional writing within the context of whales and whaling. Includes links to sites containing information about whaling. (http://english.unitecnology.ac.nz/resources/units/taha_moana/home.html)

All at Sea
Assessment material relating to New Zealand mathematics achievement standards 2.8. Involves students solving trigonometry questions in the context of the sea including the location of a distressed boat. (www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/maths2_8Cv1_7feb01.doc)

Get Your Feet Wet
Assessment material relating to New Zealand biology achievement standard 3.2. Examines researching a contemporary biological issue. Involves students researching the use and conservation of a local aquatic environment. (www.tki.org.nz/r/ncea/bio3_2Cv1_30dec01.doc )

Ocean Conservation sites on TKI

Blakexpeditions
This website tracks the voyages of Sir Peter Blake and his expeditions, whose objective it is to help protect the waters of the world and life in, on, and around, those waters.
www.blakexpeditions.com

You can make a difference
This web page from the Ministry for the Environment gives ideas on how to reduce dioxin levels, prevent stormwater pollution, reduce vehicle pollution, keep the air clean, and reduce waste.
(http://www.mfe.govt.nz/withyou/do)

International Maritime Organisation
The IMO is primarily concerned with the safety of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution. This site contains information about safety, marine environmental issues, legal issues, marine law conventions, and publications. It has a section for students with links to related sites.
(www.imo.org/index.htm) .

Marine conservation
This site offers links to ocean conservation sites from all over the world, with useful icons highlighting the sites they consider to be the best. Everything from the Artificial Reef Coastal Restoration project to the 3D Titanic! (www.seasky.org/links/sealink04.html)

Smithsonian Institute Ocean Planet
Visit this online exhibition created by the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History. Each "room" of the tour leads to a pages of interesting facts on that topic. (http://seawifs.gsfc.nasa.gov/ocean_planet.html)

The Ocean Project
This American site is a veritable canal to an ocean of resources! Subject-specific web resources are listed under subject headings, along with more general ocean statistics, online databases, and ask an expert web links. (http://www.theoceanproject.org/difference)

The Big Blue Bus
Jump on board this fun Canadian website that provides information, interactive activities, and teacher resources with a focus on all things below the waves. (www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/oceanscanada/kids/bigblue.htm)