Escola Padre João Coelho Cabanita

Blue Action – Connecting students to ocean stewardship

Loulé, Portugal

2nd FUNDING CALL

This initiative aims to explore the ocean from a multidisciplinary perspective. This project involves 800 students, with 40 directly participating and 760 indirectly, to increase literacy in ocean and climate topics, promote active citizenship, and stimulate curiosity and critical thinking.

BlueAction’s objectives are to raise awareness about ocean and climate issues, encourage dynamic learning based on real-world problems, and involve students in activities outside the classroom. The project aims to create innovative learning environments around real projects and nature-based solutions, emphasizing the importance of biodiversity and marine conservation.

Key activities of the project include:

1. Kayak Trip: Identifying fauna and flora in the Ria Formosa Natural Park.
2. Lectures and Visits: Engaging with researchers and blue entrepreneurs on biodiversity and climate mitigation.
3. Lab Activity: Demonstrating the impact of oil spills.
4. Beach Clean-Up: Involving students and families, reflecting on marine litter, and creating trash art.
5. Species Guide Creation: Documenting the most emblematic species of Ria Formosa.
6. School Exhibition: Celebrating European Maritime Day.

“8th-year students participated in three experimental activities related to Ocean acidification. During these activities, our students were actively and enthusiastically involved and had the opportunity to verify the effect of carbon dioxide released daily into the atmosphere on ocean acidification.

In the end, more aware of the effects of ocean acidification and the impact of increasing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, the students presented possible solutions to reduce carbon dioxide emissions and were invited to share them at home with their families. the knowledge acquired.

This activity meets the strategic objectives of the EU Mission “Restore our oceans and waters by 2030” and the specific objectives “Protect and protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity” and “Prevent and eliminate pollution of our oceans, seas and waters”.”

The project will be carried out in five phases:

• Planning: Establishing the team and planning activities.
• Pre-Action Assessment: Evaluating students’ ocean literacy.
• Execution: Implementing activities with students, teachers, families, and experts.
• Post-Action Assessment: Re-evaluating students’ ocean literacy.
• Dissemination: Sharing results and experiences.

BlueAction aims to change lifestyles and attitudes towards the ocean, develop new skills, and foster sustainable societies. The project promotes a comprehensive approach to ocean and climate education by involving the wider school community and key stakeholders, ensuring a lasting impact on students and their families.