OCEAN Kids ‘Nurdle Patrol’ Engages Students and Builds Environmental Knowledge

GREENFIELD, MA – Audio-based learning shows strong potential as a powerful classroom tool, with growing evidence that well-designed audio experiences can deeply engage students and support meaningful learning. Findings from the external evaluation “OCEAN Kids: Nurdle Patrol”, an audio-driven science course for elementary students, found that the program is highly effective in building student knowledge, creating deep engagement and fostering environmental stewardship.

Funded by the National Academies’ Gulf Research Program, and developed through a collaboration between Tumble Media, Associated Universities, Inc. (AUI), and the Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, “OCEAN Kids: Nurdle Patrol” empowers children to fight plastic pollution by enrolling them in a playful, audio-led “Secret Agent” mission. Through immersive storytelling, sound design and real-world citizen science activities, students investigate nurdles — tiny plastic pellets that pollute waterways — while learning how scientists study environmental problems.

Topline findings from the evaluation show the audio-based program is feasible, engaging and impactful in elementary school classrooms. Teachers consistently reported high levels of student focus and participation, and results demonstrate the program reliably builds knowledge and awareness of environmental issues. The evaluation, conducted by iEval, also found early indications that the program has potential to influence students and their families’ behaviors related to plastic pollution.

Qualitative feedback from classrooms illustrates the power of the audio format. One teacher shared that her students “had a reputation for being the noisiest group of students since they had been in kindergarten,” yet during the “OCEAN Kids” audio lesson, they listened “with rapt attention” the entire time. In another classroom, students eagerly answered questions out loud as the audio course host prompted them during the lesson, treating the audio experience as an active conversation rather than a passive listen.

Students echoed this enthusiasm in their own words. When asked how they learn while listening to the podcast, they responded with comments such as, “I like hearing the facts and gaining all this knowledge,” and “With my headphones on, it’s more personal learning… like it’s a secret mission made just for me.” Others praised the production elements: “The music and sound effects make it fun to listen to.”

The program also made an impact at home. In a survey, parents reported their children expressing interest in doing more environmental exploration, thinking more critically about plastics and increasing recycling efforts. One parent said, “She thinks twice before she throws certain things in the regular trash.”

“This evaluation confirms what we’ve learned from over a decade of experience and research in the children’s audio space — audio engages children on a deep and meaningful level,” said Marshall Escamilla, director of education for Tumble Media. Escamilla also served as the host and “Nurdle Patrol recruiter” for the audio course.

“This program helps frame nurdle pollution as a mystery, which draws the students in and helps them understand the type of impact they have on our coast,” said Jace Tunnell,  director of community engagement, Harte Research Institute at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi. Tunnell is featured in the audio course as “Chief Jace,” the scientific voice of Nurdle Patrol. “Plus, ‘OCEAN Kids’ empowers the students to become citizen-scientists as they spot, report on, and contribute data that helps us better understand and address plastic pollution in the Gulf.”

“AUI was proud to lead this innovative audio learning initiative and explore the power of narrative to spark student curiosity,” said Sara Robberson Lentz, STEM education officer at AUI. ”The evaluation makes clear that when storytelling connects to students’ natural sense of wonder, they lean into learning in remarkable ways. We will continue to support work that cultivates the scientific understanding and environmental problem-solving skills needed by the next generation.”

The “OCEAN Kids” team is now focused on refining the program, expanding classroom implementation and exploring how audio-based learning can be integrated more broadly into education. The evaluation adds to a growing body of research-backed evidence that audio is a powerful tool for students and teachers.

“Nurdle Patrol” is free and available in English and soon, in Spanish.

Contact:
Lindsay Patterson
CEO, Tumble Media
(413) 224-8042
[email protected]
www.sciencepodcastforkids.com
@tumblepodcast

About Tumble Media: Tumble Media is a children’s educational audio company that has been pioneering and innovating the kids’ podcast space since 2015, beginning with the award-winning Tumble Science Podcast for Kids. Tumble’s mission to inspire curiosity and discovery through accessible audio storytelling.

About AUI: Associated Universities, Inc. is an independent, non-profit corporation founded in 1946 that specializes in design, building and managing cutting-edge research facilities and the development and implementation of innovative approaches to education, outreach and workforce development. Currently, AUI manages two U.S.-funded research and development centers: The National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and the Green Bank Observatory (GBO). NRAO is the North American partner in the management of the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) in Chile. In addition, NRAO includes the Very Large Array (VLA), and the Very Long Baseline Array (VLBA), and GBO is home to the 100-meter Robert C. Byrd Green Bank Telescope.

About the Harte Research Institute: The Harte Research Institute, an endowed research component of Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, is dedicated to advancing the long-term sustainable use and conservation of the Gulf. HRI provides science-driven solutions^™ and international leadership in generating and disseminating knowledge about the Gulf ecosystem and its critical role in the economies of the North America region. Learn more at www.harteresearch.org.

About Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi: Offering more than 85 of the most popular degree programs in the state, Texas A&M-Corpus Christi has proudly provided a solid academic reputation, renowned faculty, and highly rated degree programs since 1947. The Island University has earned its spot as the premier, urban doctoral-granting institution in South Texas, supporting a UAS test site, three institutes, and more than 40 research centers and labs. Discover your island at www.tamucc.edu.

About iEval: Founded in 2002 by Dr. Wendy Tackett, iEval is an educational evaluation consulting firm that brings a creative, flexible, and collaborative approach to evaluating processes and outcomes while also providing meaningful and useful recommendations.