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“Only One Ocean”- ocean literacy through music

Posted on January 12, 2011January 12, 2011 By David Shiffman 3 Comments on “Only One Ocean”- ocean literacy through music

At last count (which was last summer), the number of conservation/science/ocean listservs I subscribe to was over 100. It’s kind of a problem. Every once in a while, though, a real gem comes through.

Yesterday, the award-winning eco-friendly Banana Slug String Band released their 11th album. It’s called Only One Ocean, and the goal is “outrageously good music that inspires youngsters and their families to learn about and take better care of our precious oceans.”

Co-sponsored by NOAA and conservationists from the world of NGOs and academia, each song is based on the Ocean Literacy Foundation‘s K-12 curriculum. Their website has tons of associated worksheets for educators.

If the educational component doesn’t make you want to buy this right now, the musical guests might- they include Grammy winners Victor Wooten (Bela Fleck and the Flecktones), George Winston and Michael Doucet (BeauSoleil).

A description of this album says:

“The 14 songs range from indie rock and reggae to aloha jams and wild slack-key guitarriffs. “ Going Down, Down, Down” gets funky about ocean floor geology to the bass guitar sound of Grammy winner Victor Wooten. Sweet voices of the children’ s choir join indie rocker Brett Dennen’ s unmistakable vocals in “ Mountain in My Hand,” an ode to (that’ s right) sand. Arousing sea chanty-style “ Standing On My Head” gives a fun lesson about everyone’ s favoriteupside-down crustacean: “ He’ s a barnacle, a barnacle, he’ s standing on his head.”

If you order from their website, 10% of proceeds go to Gulf Future, an NGO that raises money for communities affected by the BP oil spill.

I don’t often promote products on the blog, but I encourage any science educators to check out this album.  I also encourage any readers who know science educators to send this information to them.

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Tags: banana slug string band marine education ocean literacy ocean music only one ocean sea shanty

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3 thoughts on ““Only One Ocean”- ocean literacy through music”

  1. Doug "Dirt" Greenfield says:
    January 12, 2011 at 9:11 pm

    Know that we thank-you all for the continued support and networking as
    we grass roots …and I do mean a Slug Records Label grass roots
    effort , to promote the “Only One Ocean ” C.D.

    All Ocean Lovers it’s time for ‘hands on deck’ …
    We’ll need all the help we can gather to spread the songs that help
    educate and teach sustainable & careful practices to protect our
    precious One Ocean.
    Thank-you for all that you do !
    All the best ,
    Doug Dirt

  2. Jo says:
    January 13, 2011 at 7:44 am

    This sounds like an awesome CD, thanks for the tip off. I know one person who’s going to get it for his birthday and will love it for sure!!
    For christmas he got something similar that you might like, it’s was a barnacle t-shirt from http://www.invertebrateclothing.com They also give 10% of their profits to marine conservation.

  3. Terri Kirby Hathaway says:
    January 13, 2011 at 11:49 am

    This is a “crabulous” CD — I commute 45 minutes each morning and evening, and I’m loving singing along to the great songs. Can’t wait to use it with teachers in an upcoming workshop. Thanks — gotta love those Banana Slugs!!!

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