Igniting Student Innovation for a Healthy Planet Through STEM-Focused Digital Resources

Jun 8, 2020 10:30 AM ET

Marine biology and human life are inextricably linked, and the oceans may hold the secrets to many of our most pressing issues. In fact, recent research finds that even COVID-19 solutions may be underneath the ocean's surface: according to one recent study bacteria found deep in the sea may be helpful in detecting the Coronavirus.

The important links between humans and the oceans are why United Nations’ World Oceans Day dedicates June 8th as time for the global community to raise collective awareness and action about the importance of the ocean for all. This year’s theme, Innovation for a Sustainable Ocean, emphasizes the power of human ingenuity to care for one of our most essential resources.

Boeing can help students celebrate this important day with no-cost dynamic digital resources from Boeing FUTURE U. – an educational program created in partnership between Boeing and Discovery Education that ignites excitement and inspires students to become tomorrow’s innovators. Students interested in using the Boeing FUTURE U resources to help celebrate United Nation’s World Oceans day are encouraged to gather the family and go underwater to learn about the ocean through the Echo Voyager 360° Extended-Reality Video. Travel to the depths of the ocean 8,200 feet below the surface inside a specially designed autonomous sea vehicle: The Echo Voyager. As the vehicle descends below the ocean’s surface, kids will meet a variety of marine animals, explore the environments in which they live, and consider how they survive in such extreme conditions.

Educators interested in integrating these resources into their observances of World Oceans day can share with their remote students a suite of environmentally-themed activities that use digital experiences and hands-on, standards-aligned lessons to guide students as they explore key concepts in STEM. Join the novel Eco-Exploration team to investigate climate change’s impacts on the world’s oceans after learning about one of Boeing’s autonomous underwater vehicles. Students then discover how and design an eco-exploration experience could work with one of these vessels to teach others about how oceans are affected by climate change.

Together, through innovative educational experiences powered by the Boeing FUTURE U. resources we can more deeply appreciate and work to protect our oceans.