The Volvo Ocean Race has launched a ground-breaking Education Programme to bring the story of the toughest offshore race on the planet, and the issue of ocean health, to life in classrooms worldwide.
Check out the full Education Program here
Our renewed sustainability focus in 2017-18 puts ocean health at the heart of the race – with sailors, teams, partners and fans signing up to the cause. Consisting of three key pillars, to maximise impact, minimise footprint and leave a positive legacy, the campaign spans science, education, business, politics and sport.
We know that inspiring influencers and decision makers is key to driving change from the top – but equally as important is to engage and inspire the next generation of kids around the planet to change behaviours and attitudes towards the ocean.
© Jesus Renedo/Volvo Ocean Race
The Volvo Ocean Race Sustainability Education Programme, supported by 11th Hour Racing, aims to do just that – and aims to encourage youngsters all over the world to ‘Turn the Tide on Plastic’ – the rapidly growing and critical problem of plastic pollution and marine debris in the ocean, highlighted by the United Nations Environment ‘Clean Seas’ campaign.
The Volvo Ocean Race Education Manager Lucy Hunt explains the importance of the program. “The ocean provides us with so much, from the fresh air we breathe to the water we drink through the water cycle. It’s vital that we create ocean literate communities who understand the importance of the ocean in our daily lives and are driven to protect it.
The sustainability education program creates this in a super fun and engaging way which is easy for any educators, parents or organisations to take on and use as a resource to understand the race, our ocean connection and ocean conservation.
It’s fantastic that the Volvo Ocean Race has the sustainability education programme as it will reach an international audience, available in 6 languages and create ocean champions for the future!’
The programme is designed for students aged 6-12 years. Through a series of interactive modules, they will discover the excitement of sailing through the Volvo Ocean Race, the importance of the ocean and how ocean plastic pollution is damaging our blue planet.
© Stefan Coppers/Team Brunel/Volvo
The programme will also suggest ways to combat ocean plastic pollution and encourage students to think differently about certain behaviours. The conclusion is everyone can make a difference by becoming a ‘Volvo Ocean Race Champion for the Sea’.
This programme is available in English, Spanish, Portuguese, Swedish, Dutch and Chinese and fits with curriculums globally.
We want students to be stunned by the shocking reality of ocean pollution – and be inspired to make a change for the better.
We want to encourage and empower younger generations to be the change they want to see for the better.
And finally, we want the world to come together to ‘Turn the Tide on Plastic’.
Are you in?
About 11th Hour Racing
11th Hour Racing have made the Volvo Ocean Race Education Program possible. You can read all about their involvement here.
