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ATU to help shape Europe’s Ocean Literacy education for young children
New Erasmus+ Ocean Literacy Project aims to address climate education
Atlantic Technological University (ATU) will play a leading role in a newly funded Erasmus+ project focused on developing ocean literacy for the early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector across Europe.
The project, BLUESEED – Blue Literacies for Understanding, Empowering and Training Sustainability for Early-childhood Education and Development, has secured Erasmus+ funding under Cooperation Partnerships in Higher Education (KA220-HED).
BLUESEED aims to embed Ocean Literacy, Education for Sustainability and blue-green outdoor learning within higher education programmes for ECEC students and professionals in Ireland, Italy and Norway. Through the project, educators will be supported to incorporate greater awareness and understanding of the ocean and aquatic environments into early childhood education.
Coordinated by Alma Mater Studiorum – University of Bologna, the three-year project brings together Atlantic Technological University, the University of Bologna and Western Norway University of Applied Sciences (HVL).
ATU’s contribution will be led by Dr Rita Melia, Lecturer in the Department of Early Education and Social Studies at ATU, alongside colleagues Mary Skillington and Caroline Fahy, working with Irish partners including Galway Atlantaquaria, The Arts Council Artist in Residence and Galway Childcare Committee.
The ATU team will play a leading role in developing and testing education and training resources for the project, including leading a comparative policy analysis across the three partner countries and contributing to new learning resources for ECEC students and professionals.
The project builds on ATU’s existing work with students, early years educators and community partners to explore how connections with the marine environment can be incorporated into early childhood education and care.
Dr Rita Melia said:
Being awarded this European project is a dream come true. In Ireland, where 40% of the population lives within 5 km of the coast, we as educators have a duty to inspire and support our students and early years educators to learn about how we influence the ocean and how the ocean influences us.
“Our work to date at ATU has been about inspiring our students to understand the Ocean Literacy principles, in the hope that they will bring this knowledge, understanding and love for the ocean into their daily teaching and practice with children aged 0–6 years.
“BLUESEED will support the development of Ocean Literacy resources for ECEC professionals, specifically tailored for children aged 0–6 years, helping to incorporate Ocean Literacy into young children’s play and learning.”
BLUESEED will officially commence in October 2026, with the three partner universities working together to develop and share resources to support Ocean Literacy and sustainability education in early childhood education and care.
Photo caption: Dr Rita Melia, Lecturer in the Department of Early Education and Social Studies at ATU.
For media enquiries, contact:
Catherine Howley
Digital Communications Officer
Tel: 089 219 0501
E: catherine.howley@atu.ie
