“Message in a Bottle” is a global educational project and part of the One Ocean Expedition. Along the entire sailing route, students explore the ocean, climate, and sustainability through topics such as ocean research, climate change, and solutions for a more sustainable future. The project was developed by the Drew School in San Francisco and invites students to combine academic knowledge with creative exploration.
As part of the educational program, students create their own “messages in a bottle”: everything from personal messages and artistic expressions to data, observations, and analyses. Along the way, the schools also participate in digital meetings with the research coordinator aboardthe Statsraad Lehmkuhl, who shares the latest updates from the expedition’s scientific work.
When the ship docks, school classes are invited on board to submit their entries. All the messages in bottles are collected on board and will travel all the way home—to Bergen and One Ocean Week in April 2026. The goal is simple: to highlight young people’s reflections, concerns, ideas, and hopes for the future of the ocean.
Through “Flaskeposten,” we get to hear what young people are thinking and feeling—not only about the challenges facing the ocean, but also about the hope they carry. This goes right to the heart of the One Ocean Expedition: to engage people and share knowledge about the ocean. Young people are the future, and their voices matter. It’s fantastic that the expedition can give them a platform, and we look forward to receiving submissions from all over the world—and showcasing them when the ship returns to Bergen during One Ocean Week,” says Haakon Vatle, director of the Lehmkuhl Foundation and expedition leader for the One Ocean Expedition.
Young Voices Along the Sailing Route
The messages in bottles that have already been received show great diversity—and a high level of engagement. The contributions range from:
- documentaries and scientific reports on microplastics
- creative writing, illustrations, and art projects
- handwritten messages and calls to action to protect the ocean
The first messages in bottles were submitted by two middle schools in Bergen before the departure in April. Since then, contributions have poured in from Iceland, Canada, the United States, and Mexico, among other places.
The crew of the Statsraad Lehmkuhl finds it moving to meet children and young people on board and see their enthusiasm—how they share both their concerns and their hopes for the future of the ocean.
Before the Statsraad Lehmkuhl returns to Bergen next spring, the expedition hopes to receive contributions from Portugal, France, and Ireland as well. Finally, even more schools in Bergen will deliver their messages in bottles when the ship enters Vågen during One Ocean Week 2026.
All contributions are also featured on the expedition's website.
Exhibition during One Ocean Week 2026
A special “Message in a Bottle” exhibition is planned for One Ocean Week 2026. The exhibition will showcase student work from both Norway and the rest of the world—including essays, art, films, reports, and creative projects.
The goal is to give the public a genuine insight into what children and young people think about the future of the ocean—and to amplify young voices at a time when their perspectives are more important than ever.
The project would like to express its sincere gratitude to the GC Rieber Foundations for their support.
