I.I.S.S. “Calogero Amato Vetrano”

Blue fishing vessel

Sciacca, Italy

3rd FUNDING CALL

I.I.S.S. “Calogero Amato Vetrano” is embarking on a groundbreaking project that delves deep into the heart of water literacy, specifically targeting sustainable fishing and the blue economy. The project aims not only to educate students but also to ignite a cultural shift within the community. This initiative, focused on the rich fishing heritage of Sicily, proves to be an inspiring journey, and the school seeks to share its experiences to encourage other schools to make their own waves.

Objectives: Beyond the Surface

The project’s objectives extend far beyond traditional classroom learning. It aims to:

• Enhance environmental literacy among students and the community, providing a deeper understanding of marine ecosystems and the importance of sustainable fishing practices.
• Drive behavioral change, inspiring responsible consumption and fishing habits, promoting a shift towards a more sustainable blue economy.
• Raise awareness through “Blue Fishing Days” and social media campaigns, highlighting the fragility of marine resources.
• Foster collaboration, building a strong network of partnerships with fishers, institutions, NGOs, and European schools.
• Promote cultural change, motivating students to be active participants in transforming their community’s approach to the sea.

Activities and Collaborations: Weaving a Strong Network

To achieve these objectives, the school implements a diverse range of activities and forges crucial collaborations:

• Citizen science research is conducted, involving in-depth studies of six local seafood species, analyzing the supply chain to identify issues and solutions for sustainable fishing.
• Interviews and surveys are carried out, engaging with fishers, institutions, companies, and community members to gather data, understand sector needs, and promote innovative solutions.
• Interactive laboratories are organized, utilizing VR technology and non-formal learning methods to foster curiosity and teamwork, led by experts in marine biology and related fields.
• A multidisciplinary approach is adopted, integrating marine biology, statistics, culinary arts, and blue economy principles, providing students with practical skills and co-planning abilities.
• Collaborations are established with Marevivo, an experienced environmental foundation, to gain valuable expertise. The school also engages with local institutions and fishing sector stakeholders to ensure real-world relevance, and establishes connections with European schools to expand the network and share best practices.

Outputs and Impact: Creating a Ripple Effect

The project produces tangible outputs and has a significant impact on the school and community:

A CLIL module, focusing on sustainable fishing supply chains, is created for integration into the school’s program, ensuring long term change.

120 students gain in-depth knowledge of marine ecosystems and the local blue economy.

Interviews, surveys, and educational events engage over 3,000 people in the community.

An open-access e-book (bilingual IT/EN) is developed, containing research findings, sustainable fishing guidelines, and recipes.

Online materials, including video interviews with experts (subtitled in English) and an online survey for students, are created.

A photo exhibition is organized at the Environmental Education Center to raise awareness.

The school currently works to select a “virtuous vessel” that will serve as an experimental model for the local fleet.