Brazil expands ocean literacy and marine conservation education in schools

Educational initiatives in Brazil are increasingly focusing on ocean literacy and marine conservation through specialized curricula. In Rio de Janeiro, the Eliezer Max school, in partnership with the Brazilian Institute of Biodiversity (BrBio), is expanding its ‘Blue Curriculum’ in 2026. This project, titled ‘O Mar é Nosso’, aims to integrate ocean-related themes into school subjects to foster scientific inquiry and environmental engagement. The school has already received the international ‘Blue School Seal’ certification from UNESCO-related programs.

In Paraíba, a pedagogical intervention titled ‘Oceano Vivo: Combatendo a Poluição Marinha’ was conducted with 9th-grade students at the Major José de Barros Moreira Municipal School in João Pessoa. The program utilized critical environmental education to address marine pollution, specifically focusing on solid waste and microplastics. Through laboratory work and field studies at Tambaú Beach, students engaged in citizen science to identify polymeric microparticles and promote the preservation of local reef ecosystems.