I.M. Panagiotopoulos School

Sheerwater Projects

Pallini, Greece

2nd FUNDING CALL

This 11-month project aims to combat plastic pollution in marine and freshwater environments. The project name is a play on words, combining “shearwaters,” a type of seabird, with the wish for “sheer waters” in the Mediterranean.

The Sheerwater Projects involve Year 8 students in various activities, such as workshops, research, and art projects, to study and address plastic pollution. Students will collect water samples from coastal areas and rivers in Attica, using filters to compare their quality. The project aims to raise awareness among young people about plastic pollution and turn them into citizen scientists who contribute to scientific research both in Greece and internationally.

Students will collaborate with research institutes to learn scientific methodologies for monitoring surface water within the Citizen Science framework. This approach makes learning interactive and fun and emphasizes the importance of community involvement in environmental protection.

Key activities and outputs of the project include:

• Educational Workshops: Informative sessions on marine pollution and its impact on ecosystems.
• Art Projects: Creation of underwater, coastline, and river scale models, and plastic art products from collected litter.
• Community Involvement: Organizing school events to involve families and teachers.
• Scientific Research: Analysis of water samples and documentation of findings, with data available on GitHub.
• Public Outreach: Posters, leaflets, essays, and presentations to communicate research findings.

The project integrates subjects like Biology, Geography, Chemistry, Social Studies, and Global Citizenship, providing a holistic educational experience. Students will explore food chains, the importance of water in ecosystems, the impact of plastic pollution, and sustainable practices.

Students will gain valuable insights and contribute to broader conservation efforts by collaborating with organizations such as the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), the Hellenic Society for the Study and Protection of the Monk Seal (MOM), and ARCHELON.

Through the Sheerwater Projects, I.M. Panagiotopoulos School aims to instill a sense of responsibility and empowerment in students and encourage them to take active roles in preserving our planet’s marine environments.