Educator Resources

Educators are important members of the Bow Seat crew, whether you teach in classrooms, in homes, or in out-of-school programs. We respect the incredible work you do to inspire, educate, and engage students in environmental activism and the arts. We could not do what we do without your involvement and support!

Our participating teachers come from all disciplines and often collaborate with colleagues to create cross-disciplinary connections, combining Math + Art, History + Creative Writing, Chemistry + English, Environmental Science + Technology, and more. To help you best leverage Bow Seat’s Ocean Awareness Contest, we have complied resources below, such as lesson plans on climate change and suggested reading on integrating science and art education.

Ocean Awareness Contest

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Since 2011, the Ocean Awareness Contest has encouraged students to explore a wide array of critical issues in ocean conservation—including the climate crisis, biodiversity loss, and pollution—with a focus on their connection to humans in their roles as both problem-makers and problem-solvers.

Educators around the world and in every subject have used the Ocean Awareness Contest to teach students about issues facing our blue planet, build students’ critical thinking and creative communication skills, and empower youth to be active stewards of the environment beyond classroom walls.

“The Ocean Awareness Contest offers a fabulous way to enable students to practice the transferable skills of communication, research, and design while doing something real to help the planet. I think it could be integrated into almost any subject area.”

Student Artist: Ahrin Lee

Introducing the Contest

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Use this guide to introduce the Ocean Awareness Contest to your students. Whether you have just 5 minutes or a full class period, we’ve got you covered!

View Guide to Introducing the Ocean Awareness Contest >

Flyer and Info Packets

Download Ocean Awareness Contest Flyer >

2025 Contest Info Packet >

Contest Info for Teachers and Sponsors

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All student participants are required to provide the contact information for an Adult Sponsor. This can be a teacher, parent, guardian, mentor, coach, or other supporting adult.

Whether you are a teacher who assigned the Contest as a class project, a parent helping your child explore their creative potential, or an adult who was asked to be a sponsor for a student submitting on their own, your responsibilities are simple: all we need is to be able to contact you in case we have problems getting in touch with your sponsored student.

When your student submits their work, they will be asked to provide your name and email address. You will receive a confirmation email once they submit so that you can have it on record as well.

I am sponsoring a student under the age of 13. Do they need to submit permission forms?

Yes, Parent/Guardian Consent Forms are required for any participating student under the age of 13. On the first page of the online Contest submission form, select “Yes” to the question “Are you under 13 years old?” and choose an option:

Provide Consent Electronically. This option sends an electronic Consent Letter to the parent or guardian specified for an e-signature.
Upload Parent/Guardian Consent Form. This option allows you to upload a signed version of the PDF form. If you would like to upload multiple Consent Forms, combine all forms into one PDF or email the individual forms to us (see below).
Email Parent/Guardian Consent Form. Choose this option if you would like to email us one or multiple signed Consent Forms, and we will add them to the student’s submission.

Do you have any resources on climate change that I can share with my students?

Yes! We have many resources in our Resource Studio—including articles, lesson plans, and videos—to help you and your student learn more about climate change issues, and to support project inspiration and planning. Be sure to join our mailing list for important updates about the Contest, as well as for featured resources and special opportunities.

I am a teacher with many submissions from my class. Can I submit on their behalf?

Yes. You may create a single account under your name and submit multiple entries on behalf of your class, but you must submit separate entries for each individual student, unless they are participating as a group.

View instructions >

View all Contest FAQs >

Bow Seat Lesson Plans

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Use these teaching strategies and artwork created by Bow Seat students around the world to introduce discussions about climate change and water issues in your classroom.

Other Resources and Lesson Plans

Educator Innovation Awards

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Teachers and youth program leaders are encouraged to nominate themselves or a colleague for $500 Educator Innovation Awards, which recognize the creative ways that educators incorporate the Ocean Awareness Contest into their curricula.

Submit a Nomination

Connect With Us

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Please share your Bow Seat experience with us! Post a picture on social media and tag us @fromthebowseat, or email us a blurb about what you did, and we’ll feature you with some public kudos.

Questions? Suggestions? We love to hear from our teachers. Contact us >

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