Improving environmental awareness and ocean literacy through hands-on activities in the tropics

Abstract This work aimed to raise ocean awareness of 6th-grade students using marine invertebrates and integrating ludic activities within the curricula. Forty-two students from two public elementary schools from Northeast Brazil were selected. A pre-experimental design with pre-test/post-test was followed, using a questionnaire on ocean-environmental-related topics, and applying an inquiry-based learning approach. The ludic procedures were effective to improve the perception and learning of the students on the importance of oceans and the need for their preservation. We highlight the necessity for including more active methods to promote such awareness in schools.