School information
- School name
- Ies Martín de Bertendona
- School year
- 2024-2025
- School website
- City
- Bilbao
- Country
- Spain
- Sea basin
- Atlantic Ocean
- Region
- Coastal: <20 km from the sea
Project information
- Project name in native language
- Un nido para mi Txinbo. Un hogar que conecta Tierra, Mar y Aire.
- Starting date of the project
- End date of the project
- Level of education
- Secondary school
- Project contact
Patricia Bouzas Valdizan
patbouval at gmail.com- Categories
- Healthy Ocean
The project "A Nest for My Txinbo" aims to foster knowledge on and connection with Bizkaia´s coastal ecosystems, to develop in students a deeper bond with nature, which translates into conservation action. Through various initiatives, the programme explores and protects the links between marine, terrestrial, and aerial domains, highlighting their interdependence and ecological value.
We began with excursions to coastal areas of biodiversity (cliffs and intertidal zones of Meñakoz) and geological interest ( Sopelana Flysch, KT Limit - Quaternary and Tertiary layers of Sopelana, and the Pillow Lavas of Meñakoz). The goal was to enable students to discover the region’s natural wealth —an especially significant endeavour as most students are migrants -, and understand the dynamic interaction
between land and sea in shaping ecosystems and species distribution.
Alongside the theoretical training provided by teachers during these visits, three key activities were carried out:
1. Water quality assessments in collaboration with AZTERKOSTA, raising
awareness on human activities´ impacts on ocean health and their effects on marine and terrestrial life.
2. Observation and identification of intertidal marine species, guided by
Goazenup, promoting ecosystem knowledge.
3. Beach clean-ups, where driftwood was repurposed for classroom projects. Collected wood was used to build txinbo nests (a local term used for small birds and Bilbao locals); they will soon be installed in Bilbao city, symbolising connections between sea, land, and air.
A marine biodiversity photography contest was organized to encourage students to showcase their learning, with winning photos being displayed at school and awarded with Ocean Rubik’s Cubes (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E7qFN2AxIdY), from the
European project GES4SEAS (www.ges4seas.eu). Teacher training also included marine environment talks by researchers from AZTI.
The project follows the "Observe,Learn, Protect, Communicate" model, strengthening synergies between schools, NGOs, research centres, administrations, and media, fostering collaboration between public and private entities to enrich students across disciplines.