Something Very Fishy (SVF) is a STEAM program for children ages 5–10 that presents Ocean Literacy lessons via a musical theatre performance, where actors and marine puppets tell the story of our changing Ocean, paired with a marine science exhibit where university student docents portray different careers in marine science. Here we compare the efficacy of our program before and after a modality change caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. We found (1) knowledge of human’s impact on the Ocean increased after attending the program, (2) the emotional connection to the Ocean increased more with the theatrical element and hands on science exhibit, and (3) career interests changed from before to after the program with increasing interest in STEM careers connected to the Ocean. These results demonstrate that pairing a musical theatre performance with a hands-on marine science exhibit helps raise Ocean Literacy knowledge, emotional connection, and identity. Its impacts extend beyond the children attending the program to the parents, teachers, performers, production crew, and university student docents involved. Our program addresses the UN Ocean Decade Challenge 10 to inspire and generate the motivation, capability, and opportunity for communities to educate children, make decisions, and behave in ways that ensure a healthy Ocean, to sustain all life—current and future.