I would like to introduce you to this ecosystem so unknown by many. The aim of this first blog is to bring families closer to the ocean, show it diversity and see beyond the waves. I hope that after this activity, doubts, questions and many curiosities came up.
Tips for children.
If we have small children in the house, from 5 to 8-9 years old, the best way to awake their curiosity is by discovering and exploring the world. That is why I'd recommend two marine classics movies: Finding Nemo and Finding Dori (both on Netflix).
"When life gets you down, you know what you gotta do? Just keep swimming." — Dory
These two films were able to describe for children and adults two very important ecosystems: the great barrier reef of Australia (Finding Nemo), and the forests of Lessonia or macroalgae of the Californian Coast (Finding Dori).
It is amazing how Pixar communicates biological information of different species to children. If we pay close attention we will learn how turtles move in their migrations and how coral reefs are refuges for various species (what is known as a bioengineering species). In Finding Dori, we will learn about the ability of the belugas to orient themselves thanks to the "melon", fat located in their skull, which by means of a phenomenon called echolocation, allows them to be orientated. And so on, the work they have done with both films is fascinating.
Finally, I would like you to make art with the kids. With a blank peace of paper, colors, crayons, watercolors and whatever you like, draw anything that most caught your attention in the film and if it is possible write down all the questions you have. You can share it with me and we can solve them week by week, under the theme of the film. I would love to see your drawings!!
Tips for teenagers, youth and adults.
I would love to bringing you closer to the marine ecosystem through photography, videos, web pages, series and documentaries that invite us to think about our role in the ocean (obviously, if you haven't, please see Finding Nemo and Finding Dori).
Regarding photography, Sea Legacy, created by Paul Nicken y Cristina Mittermeier, invited us to known thorugh amazing photos the biodiversity of the oceans.They photographed species living by the water column, seafloor, artic and antarctic ice and the coast. What I really love about their work is the fact that they show how the ocean is a group of different species, related with each other, included us, humans. They share with us that we belong in the ecosystem.
Regarding series, my recommendation is Netflix's Tales by Light. It follows a number of professional photographers travelling around the world to capture images which tell a story. My favorites episodes are “Submerged” y “Panorama”, from season 1 and “Misunderstood Marine Predators” from season 2. Theses episodes help us to discover that the ocean is vast and there are a huge number of species living within rivers, lakes, antarctic and marine ecosystems.
And Finally “The Ocean Around Us” from United Nations and the BBC, a video that invite us to think about the impacts humans make and give us hope about making a change.
I would love to hear about your thoughts, and questions that may came up to your mind by watching the videos or photos. Here there are some questions to guide your thoughts.
¿What feelings do you have while reading this blog? ¿Do you feel that you are part of the ocean? ¿Why?
¿What caught your attention the most? ¿Do you think your every day life has an impact on the ocean? ¿What Oceans means to you before reading this blog? ¿Has it change after reading the blog?
I will be delighted to hear all of you! You can email me to gvomerof@gmail.com, or comment this post.
See you next week!
Giuli.