Blueback: Connecting to the ocean - Learn@Home

Teaching Sequence

Work through this resource material in the following sequence:

Tune In: You and the ocean
Find Out: The state of the ocean
Take Action: Making A Difference

Tune In: You and the ocean

Everyone has a relationship to the ocean, whether we realise this or not. 80% of Australia’s population lives within 50km of the coast. The ocean sustains us - even those of us who live inland, away from the coastline depend on the ocean! It produces over half of the planet’s oxygen, regulates our climate and desperately needs our attention and care.

Step 1.

You might want to watch the trailer for Blueback to remind yourself of what happened in the film.

Blueback | Official Trailer | 2023 (youtu.be/Jwv5DuCgZcI)

Step 2.

Create a list of all the ways people can feel a connection to the ocean. If you need some inspiration, you might like to reflect on the characters in Blueback, especially Abby and Macka.

You might like to organise your list in the categories below:

Step 3.

Now think about one particular way you are most connected to the ocean.

It could be that you love eating seafood. It could be that you love surfing, or going fishing with your family and friends, or watching whales. Remember, even if you think you're not connected to the ocean, it produces over half of the world's oxygen and helps to regulate our planet's climate. The ocean also plays an important role in the transport of goods around the world.

Step 4.

Summarise your connection to the ocean:

Find Out - The state of the ocean

Step 1.

We are going to be learning about the health of the ocean.

Think about:

How can we tell if the ocean is healthy?

Try to list three ways we know this.

Step 2.

Watch:

Current State of the Oceans (youtu.be/rE2DrmJ2l-U)

Dr. Sylvia Earle is an American marine biologist, oceanographer, explorer, author and lecturer and advocate for the protection of the ocean. Earle is currently the president and Chairwoman of the Mission Blue / Sylvia Earle Alliance, an ocean advocacy group. Their most recent effort is to develop a global network of ‘Hope Spots’, dedicated to protecting the biodiversity on which Earth’s interconnected ecosystems depend, particularly in light of the accelerating threat of climate change. This video introduces the idea that the ocean is unhealthy and need our help. You may like to pause this video to take down some notes about the current health of the ocean.

Take Action - Making A Difference

When people are sick or not feeling their best, we want to help them get better. It's the same with the ocean. A few small changes to the way we live, can make a huge impact on ocean health. When we join forces with other like-minded people, communities, researchers and governments we can shift the dial on how we protect our ocean.In the film Blueback we see:

Abby use her talent for art to create beautiful drawings of the marine life in her local bay to try and convince the council that they are worth saving
Abby's mother protesting the development of the bay by chaining herself to a digger.
Macka knowing the rules around fishing abalone.
Abby and her mother clearly communicating these rules and holding Macka accountable.

All of these examples are valid ways of protecting the health of our ocean.

Step 1.

Check out some more actions that have been identified by the Australian Marine Conservation Society: https://www.marineconservation.org.au/actions/

Step 2.

Is there one action in particular that looks good to you? Why do you think it is important? Does it inspire you? Why? Or can you think of some other action that you could take to improve or protect the health of our ocean?

Explain this action and your connection to it below:

Step 3.

How could you get your friends or family to help you support this action?

What would convince them? What challenges might stop them from supporting you?

Write, draw, or record your connection to the ocean as a way of convincing your friends or family of the importance of this work just like Abby did with her drawings.

You could:

draw or paint a picture of your favourite memory of the ocean.
film a video or record a podcast explaining why it's important to look after the health of the ocean.
write a poem or compose a song about the majesty of the ocean.
write a letter to your local politician or newspaper encouraging people to support the health of the ocean, using your persuasive language skills.

Blueback - Connecting to the Ocean (home learning)

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