Current: The Journal of Marine Education is the peer-reviewed journal of the National Marine Educators Association. It features lively, in-depth articles and activities relating to all aspects of the world of water. Articles explore the latest in marine and aquatic education research, ocean literacy, classroom and free-choice learning activities, marine science, art, maritime history and literature.

Volume 37, Issue 2, Summer 2023—Sponsored by Oregon Sea Grant

Current log:

The climate and conservation landscape can be daunting and intimidating. It can be hard to feel as though actions have a meaningful impact and finding your place in broader efforts can be even more difficult. I’m sure that many of you, the readers, may be struggling with the intersection between education and direct action. I myself am writing to you while between seasonal work and find myself with the same issue: is the work we’re doing impacting the ocean in a positive way? Is it enough? I hope so. 

The truth is, though it can be difficult to feel optimistic about the world, the alternative, climate nihilism, simply isn’t worth it. A pessimistic view of climate change hinders our collective ability to overcome the crisis or offer solutions and it weakens us as a community. As time marches on, it becomes more urgent that we continue to build community with those around us. In working on this summer issue, I’ve been inspired by the resilience and work of both authors and peer-reviewers. I understand that you all have had many pressing things in your lives, and yet still have contributed your time to this to help marine education grow and thrive. 

The articles in this issue address gaps in teaching marine science in general education and include a variety of strategies that teachers are currently using to discuss these topics. You will read about an interactive workshop hosted for high school educators that equipped participants to teach about marine microbiology and biogeochemistry concepts in classrooms. You will also read about a novel method of engaging people with marine science: cosplay, and can read a report of NMEA demographics and how they’ve changed over the years. 

Though the marine science career field may think of itself as a welcoming community, the truth is that it isn’t equitable, and this issue also describes a study done to identify factors that positively and negatively influence candidates towards marine science career fields. 

The Current editorial board welcomes your feedback on this journal and its content, and we’re always welcoming new reviewers to aid us in the editing process. To contact us, please send an email to current@marine-ed.org. To submit a paper for an upcoming issue, visit current-journal. com and click on the Start Submission button. 

Calm tides, 

Zach Greenberg 
Editor 

The Current editorial board welcomes your feedback on the journal and its content. To contact us, please send an email to current@marine-ed.org. To submit a paper for an upcoming issue, visit current-journal.com and click on the Start Submission button.

Interested in submitting an article to Current? Guidelines for submissions are available on our journal website.

Focus and Scope

Current: The Journal of Marine Education is the peer-reviewed journal of the National Marine Educators Association who seeks to “Make known the world of water.” It features lively, in-depth articles and activities relating to all aspects of educating a variety of audiences about the world of water.

Current explores the latest in marine and aquatic education research, ocean literacy, classroom and free-choice learning activities, marine science, art, maritime history and literature. Current aligns with the National Marine Educators’ Association’s core values of excellence, camaraderie, action, inclusiveness and leadership in marine and aquatic education. Current will consider articles on any subject in marine and aquatic education. Current occasionally publishes theme issues sponsored and funded by other organizations on topics relevant to marine education. Past themes have included ocean literacy, climate change, ocean acidification, and polar seas, among others. If your organization would like to sponsor a theme issue of Current, please and contact the editor at current@marine-ed.org.

Publication Frequency

The journal is published up to four times per year, on a quarterly schedule.

Special issues or collections of articles are published separately. Current’s special issues address a specific marine or aquatic education theme, sponsored by a science or educational organization. Special issues are also a core component of the journal’s identity and vision. Current aims to publish at least two special issues per year.

Open Access Policy

This journal provides immediate open access to its content on the principle that making research freely available to the public supports a greater global exchange of knowledge. There is no embargo on the journal’s publications. Submission and acceptance dates, along with publication dates, are made available on the PDF format for each paper.

Authors of articles published remain the copyright holders and grant third parties the right to use, reproduce, and share the article according to the Creative Commons license agreement.

CALL FOR PAPERS

Current: The Journal of Marine Education is published up to four times a year, and submissions are accepted on a rolling basis. Authors are encouraged to submit any time during the year, and they will be notified of the issue and publish date by the editor if accepted.

The journal seeks article submissions in particular that support NMEA’s Strategic Plan Key Focus Areas:

• KFA 1: Advance Ocean Literacy

• KFA 2: Purposefully Cultivate International Relationships

• KFA 3: Engage Youth Leaders

• KFA 4: Actively Involve Diverse and Underrepresented Communities

• KFA 5: Drive Organizational Excellence and Sustainability.

Authors with papers that address these Key Focus Areas are encouraged to submit their manuscripts at current-journal.com. We look forward to your submissions.

Peer Reviewers Needed

Current is looking for NMEA members to join our roster of peer reviewers. Help contribute to this important effort by creating an account on the journal’s website and adding your areas of expertise and research interest to your profile. Simply visit current-journal.com and click on Register in the upper right corner.

Current Editor