The delaware approach to coastal/oceanic awareness studies K-12

Education means change of behavior. Ideally, education moves the individual from lack of interest and ignorance to increasing appreciation and knowledge and finally to action. The development of coastal areas and marine resources will be influenced by how well our society understands coastal and marine affairs. Since attitudes and values develop very early in life, it follows that school children represent a fertile population group for cultivation. The knowledge and sensitivity developed in school studies will form an enduring base for democratic decisionmaking throughout life. The implementation of marine environment education necessitates the development of coordinated, multidisciplinary learning experiences from kindergarten through high school. Also essential is the initiation of college and in-service courses on marine environment for the school teachers. Marine environment education must continue throughout the individual´s life in order to accommodate for developments in marine science and for changing economic circumstances, environmental requirements, and the new products developed from marine resources for the nation´s markets. To reach the millions of citizens requires a greatly expanded use of the mass media and the involvement of government and private agencies, universities, and marine industries. Educational activities at the community level are also necessary to reach the citizenry.