Sag Harbor Elementary School & Sag Harbor Learning Center

Sag Harbor Elementary School third graders recently traveled to the Sag Harbor Learning Center where they gathered for a virtual presentation by ocean conservationist Philippe Cousteau Jr., grandson of legendary oceanographer Jacques Cousteau. Streaming live from Los Angeles, Philippe shared stories from his life at sea and reflected on his family’s multigenerational legacy of ocean exploration, conservation and education.

Before the presentation, students were encouraged by their teacher Mr. Kline to “listen with wonder,” emphasizing the importance of listening as the foundation of communication and learning. Throughout the session, Philippe captivated students with storytelling that traced his grandfather’s journey from early challenges and inventive problem solving to the development of scuba diving technology. He described in detail the groundbreaking underwater filmmaking that introduced the world to the ocean’s hidden beauty.

Philippe highlighted how his grandfather’s work shifted global understanding of the ocean. From early documentaries and an Academy Award-winning film to a television series, Jacques brought the undersea world into homes across the country. He explained how each generation of his family has built upon that legacy: exploration for his grandfather, conservation for his father and participation for his own generation — focusing on empowering people, especially young people, to help restore ocean health. Students also learned about modern ocean challenges, including climate change and pollution, while hearing hopeful examples of nature’s resilience. Philippe shared powerful stories, such as the recovery of marine life in areas left untouched for decades, reinforcing the idea that “nature is amazingly resilient” when given time and space to heal.

The presentation concluded with a student-led Q-and-A session, featuring questions submitted by the class. Philippe spoke candidly about the challenges of his work, the importance of optimism, memorable encounters with sea life and his grandfather’s enduring belief that “people can only protect what they love and only love what they know.”

The experience offered students a meaningful opportunity to connect science, storytelling and global citizenship, underscoring the message that a healthy ocean is essential to life on Earth and that the next generation has a vital role to play in protecting it.