- Theme
- EU4Algae
Published on 2 June 2026
The EU4Algae Algae4Schools Co-Creation Programme brought together teachers from pre-school, primary and middle school settings to help shape the future EU4Algae Schools Toolkit, an educational resource designed to introduce children to the world of algae through science, environmental education, arts, storytelling, cooking and play.
Through dedicated consultation sessions, educators reviewed and assessed a diverse range of proposed activities, providing feedback on their suitability, duration, educational value and adaptability to different age groups. Their contributions will help ensure that the Schools Toolkit is both engaging and practical for use in classrooms across Europe.
Bringing Teachers into the Design Process
The co-creation process involved two separate consultation exercises.
Primary and middle school teachers participated in an online poll launched on 12 May 2026, generating feedback from 36 respondents across 21 proposed activities. In parallel, pre-school teachers took part in a dedicated co-creation session using a collaborative Miro board, where they provided anonymous voting and qualitative feedback on 15 activities specifically selected for younger learners.
Together, these sessions offered valuable perspectives on how algae-related topics can be introduced at different educational stages while maintaining strong links to creativity, environmental education and hands-on learning.
Strong Support for Hands-On and Interactive Learning
Across all educational levels, teachers expressed strong support for practical, participatory activities that allow children to discover algae through direct experience.
Many activities received positive evaluations regarding both duration and age appropriateness. Arts-based activities such as colouring seaweed, painting with spirulina and chlorella, printing with seaweed, and creating postcards with algae paper were particularly well received. Teachers highlighted the value of creative approaches that encourage exploration while helping children discover different types of algae and their connection to marine environments.
Several educators suggested incorporating additional sensory and playful elements, particularly for younger children. Recommendations included using stories and characters, exploring textures through handling seaweed, integrating movement and dance activities, and encouraging oral expression through classroom discussions.
Exploring Algae Through Food, Science and Play
Cooking and tasting activities also received positive feedback across age groups. Activities such as preparing smoothies with spirulina, making seaweed cookies, creating seaweed pesto pizza and tasting algae-based snacks were considered engaging ways to introduce children to algae as a food source.
Teachers highlighted the importance of adapting explanations to different age groups and ensuring that information on food allergies, intolerances and safe usage is clearly included within the toolkit.
Science-focused activities were positively received across educational levels. Using algae as fertiliser, observing algae under a microscope, exploring colours and textures, and creating an algarium were widely regarded as valuable opportunities to connect algae with broader environmental and scientific concepts.
Several teachers suggested extending some science activities over longer periods, allowing students to monitor growth, collect observations and engage in more in-depth investigations. Others proposed incorporating additional experiments, climate-related learning components, exhibitions and digital tools.
Play-based learning also emerged as an important theme. Teachers proposed expanding the toolkit with additional games, puzzles, role-playing activities, interactive storytelling experiences and digital resources that can help reinforce learning outcomes while maintaining high levels of engagement.
Adapting Activities for Different Age Groups
One of the most valuable outcomes of the co-creation process was the identification of opportunities to tailor activities to different educational stages.
For younger children, teachers emphasised the importance of shorter activities, simplified instructions, sensory exploration and movement-based learning. Suggestions included creating underwater forests using handprints, introducing theatre and role-play activities, dancing to ocean sounds and encouraging children to imagine themselves as algae.
Primary and middle school teachers highlighted the need to adapt activity complexity, classroom timing and supporting materials to suit different ages and curricula. In some cases, educators suggested developing alternative versions of activities for older learners or extending activities across multiple lessons.
The feedback also reinforced the importance of flexibility, enabling teachers to adapt activities according to available resources, lesson schedules and classroom needs.
Building a Toolkit Together
The Algae4Schools Co-Creation Programme demonstrates the value of involving educators directly in the development of educational resources.
By combining quantitative feedback with practical classroom experience, the programme has provided a strong foundation for refining the EU4Algae Schools Toolkit and ensuring that it meets the needs of both teachers and learners.
The contributions gathered through the co-creation sessions will help shape a toolkit that introduces children to the world of algae through science, environmental education, creativity and hands-on learning, while supporting engaging and age-appropriate classroom experiences.
EU4Algae extends its sincere thanks to all teachers who participated in the co-creation sessions and shared their expertise, ideas and enthusiasm throughout the process.
What’s Next?
With Phase 1 now completed, the Algae4Schools initiative has moved into Phase 2, building on the insights gathered through the two co-creation sessions. This phase focuses on bilateral meetings with schools, questionnaires and the co-development of educational materials, taking place from April to June 2026.
Looking ahead, Phase 3 will focus on refining, integrating and piloting the educational resources developed through the co-creation process:
- July–August 2026: Integration and development of Schools Toolkit content
- October–November 2026: Piloting of Awareness Raising Days with participating schools
- Last week of November 2026: Thematic webinar presenting key outcomes and next steps
The feedback and ideas shared by participating teachers will play an important role in shaping a practical, engaging and age-appropriate toolkit that helps introduce children to the world of algae through creativity, science, sustainability and hands-on learning.
As the Algae4Schools initiative progresses, the insights gathered from educators will continue to play a central role in developing resources that make algae education engaging, accessible and relevant for learners across Europe.
Follow the Algae4Schools journey. Visit the official Algae4Schools page to explore the project, discover upcoming activities and keep up to date with the latest developments surrounding the Online Toolkit & Activities Handbook as educators help shape innovative algae learning resources for children across Europe.
Additional information
Join the #EU4Algae conversation and keep an eye on the EU4Algae Forum to stay updated on ongoing activities, initiatives, and sector updates.
Got questions? Contact us at: contact
eu4algae [dot] eu (contact[at]eu4algae[dot]eu).