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Waves of Change: Rescuing the ocean

School information

School name
DES Primary School (Interactive European School)
School year
2023-2024
City
Athens
Country
Greece
Sea basin
Atlantic Ocean
Region
Coastal: <20 km from the sea

Project information

Starting date of the project
End date of the project
Level of education
Primary school
Project website
Categories
Healthy Ocean

The objectives of our project include both a commitment to safeguarding the ocean in general and a specific goal to preserving the Varkiza Beach and its adjacent sea. Furthermore, our aim is to raise awareness among students and subsequently extend this awareness to the wider school community, including parents, stakeholders, and the local community.
Currently, our students, are focusing on ocean protection as part of our school's broader dedication to environmental causes. Since our school is an Eco school, located on top of a hill, only 3 minutes from Varkiza beach, we already nurture the importance of nature to our students, who take part every year to multiple environmental campaigns and projects. This commitment is also demonstrated through our participation in multiple environmental Erasmus+ programs (Don't Waste, Save! , Eco Child etc).
Our approach involves multifaceted activities aimed at achieving our goals. We have established a collaborative relationship with "WWF Hellas" over the last two years, actively participating in beach cleaning activities near our school area. This engagement includes compiling statistics on the type and quantity of waste collected, thus supporting "WWF Hellas" in conducting comprehensive research on Greek beaches (next beach cleaning project planned for January 2024). Additionally, our collaboration recently extended to "Helmepa" and "D-Marine" in Floisvos, involving students in observing ocean cleaning activities and participating in workshops dedicated to ocean protection (planned on 15 of December 2023). As part of our ongoing efforts, we are also planning to create a campaign aimed at raising awareness and are actively seeking additional partners or schools open to collaboration. Leveraging our status as an Erasmus+ school, we are also exploring relevant programs to add a European dimension to our initiatives.
Students are deeply involved in all aspects of our projects. Our school ethos centers around a student-centered approach, where students actively contribute ideas, plan, execute, and reflect upon these activities. Their engagement is crucial to the success of our ocean protection initiatives.