The Volvo Ocean Race Education Programme is currently on hold but will be re-launched for The Ocean Race - sign up here to be notified when the new programme is available.

Welcome aboard the Volvo Ocean Race Sustainability Education Programme. The world's most extreme race is putting sustainability at its heart and is focusing on taking action to ‘Turn the Tide on Plastic’ – the rapidly growing and critical problem of plastic pollution in the ocean, highlighted by the United Nations Clean Seas campaign. The Volvo Ocean Race supports this much-needed campaign and the UN's Sustainable Development Goal 14 (Life below water), through our sustainability team, education programme and positive actions. 

The programme will help you and your students (aged 6-12 years) discover the excitement of sailing through the Volvo Ocean Race, the importance of the ocean and how ocean plastic pollution is damaging our blue planet. It will also show you ways to combat ocean plastic pollution and how YOU and your students can make a difference by becoming Volvo Ocean Race Champions for the Sea!

There are four topics:

1. What is the Volvo Ocean Race?
2. What is Ocean Plastic Pollution?
3. How to reduce plastic pollution
4. My Positive Plastic Footprint

We have developed resources for each topic to help inspire positive action for the ocean:

• Presentation
• Worksheets (for age groups: 6-8yrs, 8-10yrs & 10-12yrs)
• Student booklet 6-8 years
• Student booklet 8-12 years
• Suggested cross-curricular activities
• Evaluation quiz
• Champion for the Sea certificate
• Certificate badge for each topic 

Resources are available in Chinese, Dutch, English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swedish.

Curricula for geography, history, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math), language, global citizenship and art are all catered for in the lesson plans and worksheets. Different cross-curricular class activities are also optional and listed in the teacher’s booklet of each topic. 

Although the booklets are age specific the 8-12 year olds booklets are a good introductory fact booklet for anyone older who also wants to be better informed on the Volvo Ocean Race, our ocean connection, ocean health and how we can reduce ocean plastic pollution.

Worksheets are colour-coded for each age group

• Blue: 6 - 8 yr old
• Red: 8 - 10 yr old
• Green: 10 - 12 yr old

Wisdom is the race mascot! She is based on a real life Laysan albatross from Midway Atoll in the Pacific Ocean and is featured throughout the education resources. Wisdom's worksheets will enable your students to reflect on their lessons and learn about each topic in a fun way. 

Topic 1 is a great introduction to the most extreme race in the world, the Volvo Ocean Race. With information on the history of the race, the boat and the teams in this awesome sailing race you and your students will know all about this year’s edition and be inspired to learn more. This topic supports learning in geography, history, STEM, language, global citizenship and art.

Subjects covered in Topic 1 worksheets:

• The route of the race
• The boat and teams
• Technology and communication

Topic 2 teaches about the importance of the ocean and how we need it to survive. The global issue of ocean plastic pollution, where does it come from and what harm it causes in the ocean are covered in this topic. Be amazed at some of the shocking statistics that scientists have discovered in recent years and be inspired to make a change for the better. This topic supports learning in geography, history, STEM, language, global citizenship and art.

Subjects covered in Topic 2 worksheets:

• Our ocean connection
• Plastic
• Ocean plastic pollution

Topic 3 is all about inspiring and empowering people to be the change they want to see for the better. This topic will dive deep into how we reduce our plastic footprint and help prevent ocean plastic pollution for a cleaner ocean.

We will cover the R’s: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse and Recycle to encourage a new way of joined-up thinking for ocean and human health and a cleaner world.

This topic supports learning in history, STEM, language, global citizenship and art.

Subjects covered in Topic 3 worksheets:

• Our plastic footprint
• Champion story
• Ocean plastic pollution

Topic 4 introduces you to innovative ways that plastic is being reused globally. It provides inspiring examples of how ocean plastic pollution is being repurposed and made into top class products through circular economy. Simple solutions for reusing plastics are given to help continue practicing the R’s. This topic supports learning in history, STEM, language, global citizenship and art.

Subjects covered in Topic 4 worksheets:

• Circular economy
• Reuse
• Personal pledge

The Volvo Ocean Race Education Programme has been suspended but will be re-launched very soon for The Ocean Race - sign up below or check back soon for our new programme.