Story
Local Plymouth schoolchildren star in new ocean literacy videos
22 November 2025
Pupils from St Andrew’s CofE Academy in Plymouth have played a starring role in a new video series to bring ocean knowledge into classrooms across Europe, created through the EU-funded ProBleu project.
The short films – including, Kids Ask Scientists: How Is Climate Change Affecting Our Ocean?, Kids Ask Scientists: How Is Climate Change Affecting Marine Life?, and Why Is There So Much Plastic in the Ocean? – feature the children asking their own questions to PML researchers about the ocean, pollution and climate change. The videos will be shared with schools across Europe as part of ProBleu’s mission to improve ocean literacy for young people.
Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) filmed the students asking their questions in the village chapel earlier this year. Their curiosity, confidence and thoughtful questions impressed the scientists – and helped shape videos that will be used internationally to support classroom learning.
“I’m wondering why people put rubbish in the sea?”
– Rowan, Primary school student
Watch now: Scientists explain why there is so much plastic in the ocean
Flint, aged 7, asked the scientists what would happen if the ocean warmed by 2 degrees.
He said: “It was great to ask the scientists questions about climate change.
I love the ocean and worry that there won’t be corals when I’m older.”
Watch now: Scientists explain how climate change is affecting our ocean
The videos form part of the ProBleu resource catalogue of ocean and water literacy teaching aids, hosting material for educators to create lessons on topics of water literacy. The catalogue includes slides, worksheets, spreadsheets, videos, simulations, and external resources to help create lessons for students. Anyone is free to browse and download the materials. Access the ProBleu resource catalogue here >>
Amy Kenworthy, Science Communicator at ProBleu, said:
“It was such a joy to meet the children and hear what questions they have. I hope that by supporting children to be inquisitive we can encourage children around the world to remain curious.”
“What this project showed me is that we all have different things that connects us to the ocean, and those things act as motivators for us to better understand the marine environment, threats to it, such as climate change and pollution, and what our role is in making a positive difference.
“As scientists and science communicators, we can also learn a lot about how we can ensure our research is relevant and reaching the public, by letting the children show us what is important to them. It’s not only the children that have learnt from this – myself and many of my colleagues were also fascinated by the questions and answers!”
Headteacher of St Andrew’s CofE Academy, Debbie Nunn, said:
“We are incredibly proud of our pupils for taking part in this important project. Their curiosity and thoughtful questions show just how much young people care about the future of our oceans. Opportunities like this not only deepen their understanding of climate change and marine life but also empower them to be voices for positive change. It’s inspiring to see their learning reach classrooms across Europe.”
The full series, including the St Andrews pupils’ appearances, is now available on YouTube via the ProBleu channel.
Related information
The EU-funded ProBleu project aims to improve water literacy in schools across the EU and its associated countries, providing grants to over 100 schools to support them joining the expanding Network of European Blue Schools.
ProBleu will mobilise and engage students, school communities, and the wider community to enhance understanding, stewardship, and literacy about oceans and waters, with a focus on restoring them by 2030. Through student and school projects supported by our science, participants in primary and secondary education will gain ocean and water literacy through activities in and outside the classroom.
