Investigating the Need for Ocean Literacy in the Indonesian Science Classroom

Abstract

Ocean literacy is a skill needed to conserve our ocean. However, there is vaguely research about it, including research on middle school students. The aim of this research is to investigate the need for ocean literacy to teach in a science classroom for middle school students in Indonesia. This research is a descriptive study with a survey method conducted at SMPN 2 Kretek Yogyakarta. Samples were randomly selected, and data were collected using modified IOLS (The International Ocean Literacy Survey), which consists of 42 multiple choice questions represented seven principles of ocean literacy. The data were analyzed descriptively and statistically non-parametric using the Mann- Whitney U-test to determine differences in ocean literacy based on gender. Data analysis results state that of all principles of ocean literacy, the 3rd and the 7th principle get the lowest score. The results of the Mann-Whitney U-test at the significance level of 0.05 is 0.204 of the Asymp Sig. (2-tailed), which means there is no difference in ocean literacy between male and female students.