Ocean Research

The ocean plays an integral role in everything we do: from the air we breathe, to the water that we drink, to the climate and weather patterns that dictate our lives and livelihoods. Yet we have explored only 5% of the Earth's ocean water, an ocean that encompasses more than 70% of our planet. Scientific ocean research provide the information and tools for a clearer understanding of the earth's ocean and atmosphere. Here are some outstanding global institutes and organizations doing state-of-the-art ocean research.

		GeoMar Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research \| Kiel The Institute's mandate is the interdisciplinary investigation of all relevant aspects of modern marine sciences, from sea floor geology to marine meteorology. The institute has four major research divisions: Ocean Circulation and Climate Dynamics; Marine Biogeochemistry; Marine Ecology; and Dynamics of the Ocean Floor. Find them on facebook. Follow them on Twitter @GEOMAR_en.

		Climate Change Institute An interdisciplinary research unit organized to conduct research and graduate education focused on variability of Earth's climate, ecosystems, and other environmental systems. Their work focuses on the interaction between humans and the natural environment.

		Ships at Sea There are currently four major American vessels engaging in ocean research using human-operated submersibles able to retrieve geological, biological, and archaeological cores, samples, and artifacts from the deep ocean floor. Their work demonstrates their technological, educational, and communications capticity. Please visit our Ships at Sea page and dive down with their live feeds today!

		Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute The mission of the MBARI is to present advanced research and education in ocean science and technology through the development of better instruments, systems, and methods for scientific research in the deep waters of the ocean. MBARI emphasizes the peer relationships between engineers and scientists.

		Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO (IOC-UNESCO) The commission promotes international cooperation in research and capacity building to learn more about the nature and resources of the ocean and coastal areas for the improvement of management, sustainable development, and the protection of the marine environment.
		Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Science investigates the microbial drivers of global ocean processes through research, education, and enterprise. The lab is organized around three core themes: Blue Biotechnology, Ocean Biogeochemistry and Climate Change, and Ocean Health. The Laboratory is located in East Boothbay, Maine, on the Damariscotta River estuary.

		Schmidt Ocean Institute Schmidt advances oceanographic research, discovery and knowledge and catalyzes the sharing of information about the health of the ocean. The institute is devoted to the advancement of technology and open sharing of information in order to expand understanding. Falkor is operated by the SOI. Ships at Sea will take you to their Live at Sea feed.

DISTANCE LEARNING RESOURCES
To support all educators and parents teaching from home in the weeks ahead, the World Ocean Observatory is pulling together a compendium of home-study tools and resources for teaching and learning about the ocean. These resources can be used by parents, schools, educators and others to address the educational gaps being created by local and national ‘shelter in place’ initiatives to help flatten the curve on the Covid-19 outbreak. This list of resources is a work in progress: please reach out if you have other key elements that we should be sharing with our global community.

WORLD OCEAN EXPLORER 2020

With a game capable of reaching a global audience, WORLD OCEAN EXPLORER can expand interest in ocean issues and habitats, and excite students about the infinite possibilities associated with ocean exploration. LEARN MORE.

Ocean Research

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