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Short Abstract

TOTCUS is a successful global model for enabling children as researchers. Linking youth across cultures, it integrates physical, social, and indigenous domains to explore climate impacts, strengthen intercultural learning, and inspire data-driven community action.

Abstract

I wish to contribute to this workshop by sharing experiences from The Ocean That Connects Us (TOTCUS), a global youth-led citizen science network linking students from New Zealand, Chile, the Cook Islands, Finland, India, Singapore, the Marshall Islands, the U.S., Rapa Nui, and beyond. Students connect virtually and in person to build intercultural relationships before co-designing and researching climate challenges relevant to their own communities.

TOTCUS projects are guided by three interconnected domains: the Physical Domain (climate impacts on water, soil, coastlines, flora, and fauna), the Social Domain (effects on human behavior, economy, infrastructure, agriculture, microplastics, and history), and the Indigenous Domain (climate impacts on cultural heritage, native knowledge, medicinal plants, and the skills required when migration from native lands becomes necessary).

Supported by teachers, researchers, and partner institutions, students progress from curiosity to data collection, analysis, and community action. The program fosters environmental literacy, empathy, and intercultural understanding while centering youth as researchers and change-makers.

This contribution will include an interactive discussion and short multimedia showcase illustrating how TOTCUS cultivates climate awareness and global collaboration across oceans—demonstrating that when youth are empowered as researchers, citizen science becomes a shared act of connection and hope.