The UNICAMP Museum of Biological Diversity (MDBio) and Ocean Literacy: actions to enhance the dissemination of research, teaching and extension activities in the Ocean Decade

• Grant number: 24/05581-6
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Journalism
• Start date: December 01, 2024
• End date: November 30, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Communications - Journalism and Publishing
• Principal Investigator: Michela Borges
• Grantee: Renata Aparecida dos Santos Alitto
• Host Institution: Instituto de Biologia (IB). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Grupo de Usuários Wikimedia no Brasil, Brazil

Abstract

The Ocean Decade aims to meet the goals of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Number 14 (Life below Water) and promote Ocean Literacy to raise awareness about the importance of the oceans. Ocean Literacy seeks to raise awareness among the population about the oceans and encourage conservation, protection and sustainable use of the seas. To achieve SDG 14, it is essential to have quality, equitable and inclusive Education (SDG number 4), promoting lifelong learning opportunities for everyone. In this context, Science Museums and Natural History Museums have an essential role in enhancing educational actions initiated in regular schools. Among the prominent museums in the state of São Paulo, the Museum of Biological Diversity, of the UNICAMP Biology Institute (MDBio), is a relatively young institution, but which has acted in a relevant way in the areas of research, teaching, and extension to community. Four projects related to Ocean Literacy in progress at MDBio were chosen, taking into account their scientific, technological, cultural, economic and/or social relevance and in different but complementary areas (teaching, research and extension): Project 1 "Consolidation of scientific collections of marine invertebrates: strategies for biodiversity conservation" (research, funding Biota/FAPESP); Project 2 "Tides of Identity: Integration of Ocean Literacy in the Education of Peripheral Public Schools and Popular Courses in Campinas" (extension, financing by the Pro-Rector of Extension and Culture (ProEC) of UNICAMP); Project 3 "Science for the transformation of society: promotion of Ocean Literacy on the coast of São Paulo" (extension, financing Pro-Rectory of Culture and University Extension USP, UNICAMP and UNESP and Project 4 "Teaching collection on loan from MDBio" (teaching and extension, funding: UNICAMP). The Scientific Journalism proposal will involve journalistic texts, images and videos about these projects for different target audiences, such as university teachers and students, basic education teachers and students, and the general community without compromising the quality of information and exposing scientific results in a clear and attractive way. The wide dissemination of the results of these projects will bring new perspectives for MDBio partnerships with national and international institutions and may encourage and recruit students from different age groups and social strata to areas related to Ocean Literacy. From these journalistic actions, it is expected that the community, near or far from the ocean, will have effective attitudes towards the sustainability of the oceans and marine preservation.