RCE Western Australia - 2024

The Ocean Project 2024
CSV
Basic Information
Title of project : 
The Ocean Project 2024
Submitting RCE: 
RCE Western Australia
Contributing organization(s) : 
Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), Environment ( located at IOMRC at UWA)
Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery, University of Western Australia
University of Western Australia School of Design
Wesley College
Kalamunda Senior High School
Focal point(s) and affiliation(s)
Name: 
Janice Lally
Organizational Affiliation: 
Curator (Public and Academic Programs), The University of Western Australia
E-mail: 
janice.lally@uwa.edu.au
Format of project: 
1. Keynote lecture and panel discussion. 2 Artwork commission and exhibition: ODE 3. Sustainability tour: ODE 4. Student Engagement 2 schools (77 students) outreach activities
Language of project: 
English
Date of submission:
Friday, September 27, 2024
Web link: 
https://www.uwa.edu.au/lwag/partnerships/the-ocean-project-2024
Additional resources: 
https://www.uwa.edu.au/lwag/partnerships/ocean-project-2024-exhibition
https://www.uwa.edu.au/lwag/events/exhibition-launch-and-conversation---artist-kirsten-hudson-with-marine-research-scientists-fabio-boschetti-and-matt-andreotta
https://www.uwa.edu.au/lwag/events/eyes-on-art---the-ocean-project-2024
https://www.uwa.edu.au/lwag/events/sustainability-month-tour---the-ocean-project-2024

Does this project link to any education and/or sustainable development policy or policies?: 
Yes
‘The Ocean Project 2024’ has objectives that align with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child Article 29 section (e) ‘The development of respect for the natural environment’ and also Article 31
At what level is the policy operating?: 
Local
Geographical & Education Information
Region: 
Asia-Pacific
Country: 
Australia
Location(s): 
Western Australia
Address of focal point institution for project: 
The University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway Crawley, Western Australia, Australia 6009.
Ecosystem(s):
Coastal
Target Audience:
Community, Higher, Primary, Secondary, Teacher Ed., TVET, Youth (Informal)
Socioeconomic and environmental characteristics of the area : 
The University of Western Australia is situated in Perth, uniquely positioned on the Indian Ocean rim. Perth has a population of 2.14 million. UWA has 28,000 students including international students. UWA conducts extensive research in environmental sciences, focusing on climate change, conservation and sustainable development including Oceanography and Marine Biology in Western Australia.
The participating CSIRO Environment ocean researchers are located at The Indian Ocean Marine Research Centre, at UWA. This is a world-class research facility which researches collaboratively, leveraging complementary expertise and resources to deliver a deeper understanding of the marine environment. Its vision is to drive global knowledge of the Indian Ocean marine environment and its sustainable management.
Description of sustainable development challenge(s) in the area the project addresses: 
14 Life Below Water: Conserving and sustainability using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development.
Quality Education (4.7) Providing knowledge about sustainable development and lifestyles, global citizenship

The Oceans 2024 project explored and exhibited the capacity for collaboration across disciplines while investigating ocean science, new technologies, Indigenous cultural knowledge, bringing new research and scholarship to a wider audience including students at all levels. The project connected audiences with the Indian Ocean Rim marine research work being undertaken through marine science partnerships including CSIRO Environment scientists at the IOMRC and UWA.
Contents
Status: 
Ongoing
Period: 
January, 2024 to November, 2024
Rationale: 
Art has a capacity to reveal, communicate and evoke complex information, emotions, images and ideas. Addressing key topical science and art themes, The Ocean Project 2024 links art with science for educational and public benefit outcomes.

The ocean is a key arena for scientific research in WA and globally; with biological, mathematical, environmental, social, economic and cultural concerns and impacts.

For many years CSIRO Environment at IOMRC at UWA has been researching Oceanography and Marine Biology in WA; including marine ecology in the field, mathematical modelling and research in cognitive and social sciences; which currently has a focus on the Ocean You Want- for the UN Decade of the Ocean.
This initiative investigates how art might communicate and bring western science, Indigenous cultural knowledge and community science about the ocean to a wider audience - especially to students at all levels.
Objectives: 
1. The Public Lecture involved communicating complex ideas related to the ocean, including environmental, social, cultural and economic challenges and research.
2. The commissioned Art Exhibition and related panel discussion aimed to provoke new ideas and engage and share skills; to communicate to a wide audience a diversity of concerns and issues regarding ocean science, new technologies and the roles of Western science, Indigenous Cultural knowledge and Citizen science. Also to encourage students’ inspiration toward future careers and conceptual capacities.
3. Hands on science activities led by CSIRO scientists; 2 Marine Ecologists and a psychologist stimulated and excited the students with new perspectives and knowledge related to the ocean and opportunities for future study and employment. Discussion with the artist in her exhibition broadened students’ appreciation of the scope of art as a research and communication tool and stimulus for discussion and imagination.

Activities and/or practices employed: 
1. Artist to undertake intensive but brief ‘artist in residence’ experience with scientists from CSIRO Environment at IOMRC.
2. Artist to meet with research scientists, professional gallery staff and art & design staff
3. Broad target audience including marine research professionals, UWA academic staff and students, public and private schools and colleges and the general public.
4. Focus on participating art and science students experiencing both science and art activities with a thematic focus of the ocean
Size of academic audience: 
1485+
Results: 
The exhibit was highly successful in engaging multiple parties with ocean sustainability. The resources developed including recordings of the panel discussions are available online and are publicly accessible.
https://www.uwa.edu.au/lwag/events/challenges-in-ocean-research---panel-discussion Accessible Online
Public Discussion attended by: 40 + video online and shared with participating schools
Artist in residence discussion + hands-on science activities: 79 Students 6 teachers
Sustainability tour: 14
Art Exhibition (17/7-14/8/2024):1226
Exhibition Opening event & panel discussion27/7/24: 58 + Audio record to be placed on the LWAG website
Students Exhibition: TBC (November 14-23)
Opening event 16/11/24: TBC
Key messages: 
Art has a capacity to reveal, communicate and evoke complex information, emotions, images and ideas including about marine science, new technologies and Indigenous cultural knowledge and the values of Citizen Science.
Funding: 
Funding ($5000) for the Artwork Commission was provided by the Friends of the Lawrence Wilson Art Gallery.

Pictures:

File Name Caption for picture Photo Credit
Image icon Student exhibition 1.jpg (73.45 KB) Student Exhibition with local high school student submissions
Image icon Student exhibition 3.jpg (43.67 KB) Student Exhibition with art created by local high school students
References and reference materials: 
File Ocean Project 2024 Overview and Resources.docx
UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
(https://sustainabledevelopment.un.org/sdgs) and other themes of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD)
SDG 4 - Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all 
Direct
SDG 8 - Promote sustained, inclusive and sustainable economic growth, full and productive employment, and decent work for all 
Indirect
SDG 9 - Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialisation, and foster innovation 
Direct
SDG 12 - Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns 
Direct
SDG 13 - Take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts 
Direct
SDG 14 - Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development 
Direct
Theme
Traditional Knowledge  
Direct
Arts 
Direct
Curriculum Development 
Indirect
Ecotourism 
Direct
Waste 
Indirect
ESD for 2030-Priority Action Areas
Priority Action Area 1 - Advancing policy 
state: 
Indirect
Priority Action Area 2 - Transforming learning and training environments 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 3 - Developing capacities of educators and trainers 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 4 - Mobilizing youth 
state: 
Direct
Priority Action Area 5 - Accelerating sustainable solutions at local level 
state: 
Direct
Update: 
No
I acknowledge the above: 
Yes