This story is a part of the GenOcean campaign — an official Ocean Decade campaign showcasing Decade Actions, collaborating organizations and ocean leaders that focus on youth and citizen science opportunities to help anyone, anywhere be the change the ocean needs.
What if you could explore a coral reef, tag a manta ray or swim alongside a sea turtle — all without leaving your classroom, your home or even your phone? At the halfway point of the Ocean Decade, we are celebrating organizations like The Hydrous that play a vital role in fostering connections between the next generation of problem solvers and the ocean. The Hydrous, a nonprofit organization on a mission to connect 10 million learners to the ocean by 2030, is doing this through the use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies.
Their Decade Action, the Decade of Ocean Empathy, is a global effort that mixes science, storytelling and immersive technology to make marine life accessible to everyone.
The Decade of Ocean Empathy addresses two Ocean Decade Challenges:
9 – Skills, knowledge, technology and participation for all
10 – Restore society’s relationship with the ocean
At its core, The Hydrous aims to remove the physical and social barriers that often separate people from the sea. Using immersive technology, The Hydrous looks to create “open access oceans” and promote understanding of the marine environment through engaging and fun activities.
“A big focus of The Hydrous is to bring more people to the ocean, and to bring the ocean to more people, and try to spark a human connection,” shares Dr. Erika Woolsey, marine biologist and Chief Scientist & CEO of The Hydrous. “A key element in bridging scientific discovery and public understanding is human connection through meaningful ocean experiences.”
Why does this connection matter? Because the ocean covers more than 70% of our planet and gives us over half of the oxygen we breathe. It feeds millions, drives the global economy and regulates our climate. Yet, it’s under severe threat from pollution, overfishing, climate change and habitat loss. The Hydrous wants to transform ocean indifference into ocean advocacy, and they’re using empathy to do it.
How does empathy help the ocean?
Ocean empathy means more than understanding marine science, it’s about feeling a personal connection to the sea. It’s the belief that when people experience the ocean, even virtually, they’re more likely to care for it. And when people care, they act.
The Hydrous is a global community of scientists, educators, technologists and creatives who design awe-inspiring experiences to foster that emotional connection. They do this not just with creating virtual images, but by allowing learners to explore marine habitats.
With projects like AR Reef, Immerse 360 and Explore VR, anyone can explore coral reef environments, swim with manta rays and visualize 3D environments and collections.
The Hydrous Learning Expedition Kit, developed with support from National Geographic, brings this approach into classrooms. Designed for middle school students, the kit introduces coral biology and ocean stressors. Students can take on the role of a marine biologist and record their observations in their dive journal.
“You can join this learning expedition in small groups or on your own,” says Woolsey. “My hope is that it inspires you to make your own discoveries, think like a scientist and share the ocean with others.”
Through these virtual dives, learners all over the world are experiencing the ocean both in groups and on their own. This creates curiosity about marine life and collaboration with fellow “scientists” that promote ocean and scientific literacy. You can complete virtual dives with your class or experience an AR museum. The best part? You don’t need a scuba certification or even to travel to get involved.
“It’s really important to bring these kinds of experiences to people because it helps promote empathy and understanding of marine environments and what they’re facing right now,” says Celine de Jong, a scientist at The Hydrous.
In addition to connecting people to the sea through these virtual experiences, The Hydrous also looks to reach others through their podcast, 21st Century Mermaids, which launched in 2021 and highlights the career paths of women marine scientists and advocates, including Danni Washington, Melissa Cristina Marquez, Dr. Grace Young and Zhandi Ndhlovu. Each episode dives deep into the lives and work of women who are changing the tides in ocean science, policy and conservation. These aren’t fantasy sea creatures, but dedicated scientists, educators and trailblazers — women, affectionately called “mermaids,” using their passion and expertise to protect our blue planet. By showcasing women who are making an impact, the podcast invites listeners to imagine their own role in ocean conservation through research, advocacy or simply learning more about the underwater world.
“Ocean science is a career path that a lot of people are interested in, especially young people,” says Danni Washington, science communicator, founder of Big Blue and You and the first host of 21st Century Mermaids. “This podcast is a way to share stories of people in this field, specifically women and non-binary people. And, we chose the name of the podcast because every culture has some myth or story about mermaids that has stood the test of time. They are the messengers of the ocean. That mythology is a hook to attract new audiences to listen to these stories of the ocean.”
Listen to 21st Century Mermaids on Spotify here.
How can you get involved?
The projects offered by The Hydrous make the ocean more accessible with immersive dive experiences. Whether you’re a student, a teacher or someone who loves the sea, these educational opportunities have the power to transform you into marine scientists and connect you to underwater worlds, creating fun memories and inspiring ocean curiosity and empathy.
Learn more about the Decade of Ocean Empathy here and stay updated by subscribing to The Hydrous newsletter, following them on Instagram and LinkedIn and engaging with AR Reef and IMMERSE 360.
Read more GenOcean stories on our webpage.
