The ProBleu team from Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML) recently took part in the Coastal Connectedness BioBlitz, an event organized by The Rock Pool Project. This engaging day brought together families, school groups, and an encouraging number of teachers, creating the perfect setting to foster discussions around marine biodiversity and ProBleu’s initiatives.
The morning started with interactive stands, including our very own “Smell the Seaweed” game. Visitors rated the smell of various seaweeds using emoji cards, sparking fascinating conversations about how these scents evoke personal memories and deepen our connection to the sea. It was a unique way to engage attendees while sharing information about ProBleu’s mission and ongoing funding opportunities for schools.
In the afternoon, participants ventured to the rocky shores near Mount Batten during low tide to explore the rich biodiversity of rockpools. From beadlet anemones and crabs to limpets and tiny fish, the vibrant ecosystem offered a hands-on experience for attendees to discover the wonders of marine life. This setting also became the backdrop for the filming of a new ProBleu educational video on biodiversity, capturing the essence of exploration and learning.
Bringing Biodiversity to Life
PML also debuted a video titled “What is a Bioblitz?”, created as part of ProBleu’s commitment to promoting water and ocean literacy. The video explains the significance of biodiversity monitoring, the methodology of bioblitzes, and how scientists measure biodiversity in the vast expanse of the open ocean.
This video, along with many other educational resources, is available in the ProBleu Resource Catalogue, a tool designed to inspire and support educators in their efforts to promote sustainable practices and engage students in water literacy activities.
The Coastal Connectedness BioBlitz was a day filled with discovery, conversation, and inspiration, reinforcing the importance of connecting people to their local marine environment. Events like these exemplify how education and community engagement can foster a collective sense of stewardship for our oceans.
ProBleu remains committed to supporting initiatives like this, encouraging schools and educators to integrate marine and freshwater topics into their curriculums and become part of the growing Network of European Blue Schools.
Funded by the European Union