A small school of biodiversity

The Small School of Biodiversity project primarily aims to familiarize students of lower school age with the concept of biodiversity in general and with the causes of its increasing threat. It was designed in the form of workshops, research and practical classes outdoors and extracurricular activities at school. The workshops will be conducted in cooperation with experts and scientists of the Association for the Preservation of Biodiversity "Aurelia".The topics of the workshop are related to the sea and coasts, more precisely to endangered meadows of Posidonica oceanica and endangered organisms. Encouraged and motivated by the new knowledge gained at the workshops, the students, under the guidance of their teachers, will create eco-brochures and an educational digital and printed picture book with the aim of raising awareness of the importance of preserving the biodiversity of the Adriatic Sea among the community in general. ACTIVITIES:

1. Let's dive into the world of invertebrates - getting to know the invertebrates of the Adriatic Sea that live in meadows of sea flowers (Posidonia oceanica), their basic characteristics, sampling of marine material on the coast, microscopy of samples and dry preparations.

2. I clean school boards, clean the sea Who am I? - the workshop on sea sponges aims to acquaint students with the basic characteristics of sponges, their important role in the marine ecosystem, the protected species of sea sponges of the Adriatic Sea and the cause of their disappearance.

3. Field lesson on the island of Krapanj: visit to the Sponge Museum - to learn more about the types of sea sponges that live in the area, the threats to their survival caused by human activities.

4. Exhibition and presentation of students' works created during project activities and celebration of Biodiversity Day in the premises of the Zadar City Library.