Anna Whitlocks gymnasium

Stockholm, Sweden

4th FUNDING CALL

Objectives

Anna Whitlocks gymnasium has launched “Introduction to the new marine national park in the Nämdö archipelago by infographics”, a seven-month initiative combining art, design, and environmental science. The project’s main goal is to prepare students to communicate scientific information effectively, focusing on the upcoming marine national park in the Nämdö archipelago.

Students will develop:

• Communication skills for raising environmental awareness.
• Experience in collaborative design.
• The ability to apply graphic design in a scientific context.
• Confidence in influencing local opinion on wildlife conservation.

By translating marine biology concepts into compelling visual stories, the project aims to connect the public with the park’s biodiversity and conservation needs.

Activities & Collaborations

The heart of the project lies in combining fieldwork, artistic expression, and scientific accuracy. Activities include:

1. Field excursion to Bullerö Island
   Students, accompanied by biology, design, and art teachers, will travel by ferry to Bullerö Nature Reserve. There, they will observe and sketch species in their natural habitats—ranging from marine algae to coastal birds—taking inspiration from artist Bruno Liljefors’s approach of depicting wildlife in context.
   
2. Art and design workshops
   Back at school, the 68 participating students will refine their drawings and collaborate on a large-format infographic poster (1.6–3 meters). This will combine individual artworks into one cohesive, scientifically accurate visual narrative.
   
3. Professional-quality production
   The final infographic will be printed on durable aluminium for outdoor display in the marine park. This material ensures longevity, allowing the poster to serve visitors for decades.
   
4. Partnership with Länsstyrelsen Stockholm
   The managing authority of the national park will provide input on species representation and display location. Students will engage directly with officials, deepening their understanding of conservation management.
   
5. International exchange
   Using Microsoft Teams, students will present their project to peers at IES San Bartolomé in Lanzarote, Spain. This exchange will foster cross-cultural dialogue on environmental protection in different ecosystems.

Expected Outputs

• Outdoor infographic display at the marine national park, accessible to all visitors.
• Digital archive of student artworks and infographics on a shared platform, available for adaptation under Creative Commons CC0 license.
• Bilingual project presentations (English and Spanish) for the Lanzarote exchange.
• Teaching resources; including species descriptions, design templates, and integration guidelines usable by other schools.
  

Impact

The project will:

• Enhance students’ interdisciplinary skills by merging biology, art, and design.
• Promote environmental stewardship in the local community by making conservation information visually engaging.
• Encourage collaboration across subjects and borders, connecting Swedish students with their Spanish counterparts.
• Provide an educational resource for future visitors and educators, supporting ongoing awareness of Baltic Sea ecosystems.
  

The reach will extend beyond the school: at least 64 students from Anna Whitlocks gymnasium will directly contribute, with presentations to over 34 peers locally and a minimum of 25 students internationally. Families, local organisations, and potentially local media will also be involved.

By combining field observation, creative expression, and public engagement, Anna Whitlocks gymnasium is equipping its students to become both artists and advocates for nature. Through the lens of the Nämdö archipelago’s wildlife, they are learning to communicate why preserving marine environments matters—not just in Sweden, but across the world’s waters.