The digital education platform The Sea We Breathe, designed to introduce young people to marine and ocean life, has been translated into Turkish in both written and audio formats through the efforts of the Mediterranean Conservation Society. The Turkish narration of the platform was performed by the renowned artist Mazlum Kiper.
Children need experiences that allow them to deeply understand the role and importance of the seas within the ecosystem and to explore the underwater world, which many have never had the opportunity to encounter. They also need nature-based education that fosters creative and critical thinking about human pressures such as climate crisis, pollution, and overfishing, while encouraging them to develop scientific solutions to these challenges.
The marine ecosystem is one of the least covered topics in Turkey’s curriculum and civil society initiatives, making extracurricular activities in this field particularly challenging. For this reason, as the Mediterranean Conservation Society, we consider it important to promote the The Sea We Breathe digital platform in our country.
The Sea We Breathe is an open education platform developed by the Blue Marine Foundation (BMF). It is designed to connect young people with marine and ocean life and to help them understand the role of these ecosystems in combating climate change. Drawing users into the unique underwater world, this experience supports the development of ocean literacy skills among young people in response to crises such as climate change and biodiversity loss.
Blue Marine Foundation (BMF) is a London-based charity dedicated to restoring the health of the oceans by addressing one of the world’s biggest environmental issues—overfishing. The organization runs projects in 21 different locations. BMF is a project partner of the Mediterranean Conservation Society.
Since its launch in 2020, The Sea We Breathe has reached more than 1.5 million views in over 200 countries and regions, winning eight awards, including the prestigious Webby Award. The English narration of the platform was done by actor and writer Stephen Fry. The platform is now available in Turkish in both written and audio formats, with the translation provided and published by the Mediterranean Conservation Society.
The Turkish narration was performed by voice actor, dubbing artist, actor, and director Mazlum Kiper. Having starred in numerous theater plays and lent his voice to many cinema productions, Mazlum Kiper is a leading figure in Turkey’s dubbing industry. His iconic voice brings The Sea We Breathe to life in a unique and immersive way.
The platform includes three interactive video journeys:
- - The Ocean’s Web of Life
- - The Rainforests of the Sea
- - Protecting Underwater Life
Following these videos, activity suggestions are available for students and teachers.
With its student-centered approach and diverse learning tools, The Sea We Breathe is designed for deep learning. Students can experience these journeys through well-crafted visual and auditory stimuli. They can join this learning journey anytime, anywhere, and progress at their own pace.
The platform’s cognitive objectives make it suitable for students of all ages within the K-12 education system. It guides students toward new learning through inquiry-based methods and provides resources for deeper exploration. It also facilitates the comprehension of scientific data and encourages students to engage in scientific research.
Teachers from various disciplines can integrate the platform into group activities, lesson objectives, or projects. By doing so, students can gain awareness of global environmental issues and connect with young people from different regions. The questions and activities on the platform align with 21st-century core literacies and competencies.