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Maritime Forum
 

""From the Rill to the Ocean"

School information

School name
Pomáz German Nationality Primary School
School year
2023-2024
School website
City
Pomáz
Country
Hungary
Sea basin
Black Sea
Region
Inland: >20 km from the sea

Project information

Project name in native language
"Az Értől az Oceánig"
Starting date of the project
End date of the project
Level of education
Primary school
Project contact

kissklau7 at gmail.com

Categories
Healthy Ocean

Inspired by the title of a famous Hungarian poet Ady Endre's poem "From the River to the Ocean," our project, launched in September 2024, aims to highlight the interconnectedness between local water pollution and ocean contamination. Students trace the journey of water, from precipitation to the ocean, both physically and virtually. They investigate changes in the water and identify the causes, including human-made pollution. By studying nearby water sources like the Danube, streams, and underground water, students discover that 80% of oceanic waste originates from land-based activities. This realization helps them understand how invisible pollutants (chemicals, fertilizers, and industrial waste) travel through rivers to oceans.
During the project, students engage in various activities to explore water pollution and its connection to ocean pollution. They begin by creating a mind map to understand how precipitation and water become increasingly polluted. The activities include:
Cave tours in natural and anthropogenic watersheds, observing the effects of dripping water.
Field trips along Dera stream to identify pollution sources and study aquatic life. Waste collection along the stream.
A boat trip on the Danube to observe river pollution and life.
Visits to rivers during floods to study changes in water properties (e.g., turbidity, color).
A visit to a wastewater treatment plant to see water purification technologies.
Students take water samples (rainwater, spring water, Danube, etc.) and perform laboratory tests, such as pH, conductivity, different ions, and biological analysis. They also organize waste collection events and create artworks from natural materials to raise awareness about water pollution. In collaboration with another school along the Danube, they organize a flash mob, promoted online, showcasing their artworks, photos, videos, and posters on topics like wastewater treatment and water quality. Forty 5th and 6th graders participate in the project, documenting experiences, creating posters, and running a social media campaign.