By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
The global ocean-based nonprofit OceanX and Crayola have launched a licensed, virtual-learning event in celebration of World Oceans Day.
The OceanX-Crayola partnership originally began in 2021 with an immersive national takeover tour of Crayola Experience attractions, as well as the Crayola Experience Home Adventure Kit Ocean Edition.
Now with the launch of the Facebook live event The Art of Learning: Ocean Exploration on the OceanX and Crayola Education Facebook pages, children, parents and teachers can dive into ocean worlds online.
“OceanX is thrilled to continue our partnership with Crayola with this exciting virtual event,” said Mark Dalio, founder and co-CEO, OceanX. “Crayola and OceanX are both dedicated to pushing creative boundaries and expanding the collective imagination. We invite young explorers and their families to discover the uncharted and largely unexplored world of the deep sea with us on World Oceans Day.”
Crayola’s The Art of Learning is a colorful, virtual series that celebrates the ways children use art to explore topics such as science, storytelling, coding, music, and more. The series features hands-on learning sessions that all ages will enjoy.
“Art is a way of learning,” said Cheri Sterman, director, Crayola Education. “When children engage in hands-on art making, they develop observation and self-expression skills. Every topic can be more deeply understood when children create images or projects based on the new information they have gathered.”
Free episodes air each month on the Crayola Education Facebook page and include short question and answer sessions with experts, as well as activities that viewers can do at home.
The Ocean Exploration event was hosted by OceanX’s Head of Science Operations, Mattie Rodrigue and two other OceanX scientists who are currently exploring the aquatic life and weather conditions of the Red Sea aboard the research vessel OceanXplorer.
Rodrigue and other onboard scientists answered questions submitted by children about sea life, coral reefs, brine pools, and more. They also shared information about OceanX’s deep-sea technology and how they use creativity daily as scientists.
Crayola Education Manager and artist James Wells took over the presentation after this segment. Wells showed viewers how to create artwork inspired by the vibrant coral reefs in the Red Sea using Crayola Watercolor Paint, Washable Project Paint, Crayons, and a Sponge.
The event is part of OceanX’s 24-hour World Oceans Day programming, which will take audiences around the world to learn about our planet’s oceans from OceanX and its partners.