When we think about the ocean, we often picture a peaceful beach or a vast blue sea stretching beyond the horizon. But how often do we consider how connected we are to it? Dr. Meghan Marrero, an advocate for ocean literacy, has dedicated her career to making sure people understand just how much the ocean impacts our daily lives and how we, in turn, affect it.
From a young age, Marrero was drawn to the ocean. “I’ve always been an ocean person. Even as a little kid, I knew it was something I wanted to study.”
Marrero is a professor of Secondary Science Education and Co-Director of the Mercy University Center for STEM Education. She pursued marine biology in college but quickly realized that lab work wasn’t for her. Instead, Marrero found joy in working with people, especially kids, helping them connect with the ocean meaningfully.
Her passion for education led to a career in teaching, where she built marine science programs in schools. Over time, she became involved in ocean literacy, a movement focused on making oceanic education more accessible and relevant.
“It started as a small movement in the U.S.,” Marrero explained, “but now it’s grown worldwide, with discussions happening at the United Nations and beyond.”
One of her biggest challenges is that ocean education isn’t widely available, especially in underfunded schools. That’s where the Blue Schools Program comes in. This initiative, which Marrero helps lead, works with schools across New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, many of them in low-income areas, to bring ocean literacy into classrooms.
Students in the program engage in hands-on projects, from monitoring water quality to addressing plastic pollution.
“We want students from all backgrounds to see how the ocean is part of their lives, whether they live near the coast or not,” she said.
But why should people care about ocean literacy?
Marrero believes the answer is simple: our health depends on it.
“A lot of people don’t realize how closely tied human health is to the ocean,” she noted.
“Microplastics and harmful chemicals in the water enter our food and drinking supply. Understanding these issues helps us make better choices.”
Her efforts have even caught the attention of global organizations. Recently, Marrero spoke at an event supported by the fashion brand Prada, which is working on sustainability initiatives.
“It was a different audience than I’m used to,” she reflected, “but that’s exactly why it mattered. We need to be having these conversations in every space, not just among scientists and educators.”
Marrero believes in keeping the message hopeful when advocating for ocean health.
“If people feel overwhelmed or scared, they tend to shut down,” she explained. “So instead of focusing on everything wrong, we highlight what people can do like switching to reusable bottles or reducing plastic waste.”
Marrero’s ultimate goal is to ensure people, especially young students, understand that their actions matter.
“The ocean affects all of us, and we all have a role in protecting it,” she stated. “With efforts like the Blue Schools Program, more students are getting to be part of that change.”
For those interested in learning more about the Blue Schools program, Dr. Marrero hosts regular webinars. If you would like more information, contact her at [email protected].
