Over the past 2 decades scientists, educators and municipalities have empowered citizens and students in Europe through many projects and initiatives to increase their knowledge on the ocean and take more responsible decisions towards protecting the health of the ocean. The EU4Ocean Coalition, supported by the European Commission- DG Maritime Affairs and Fisheries, looks now at how schools can be key players in building a more ocean literate society by becoming a European Blue School and take part in the Network of European Blue Schools.
In a European Blue School, teachers, together with their students, actively engage in a Find the Blue Challenge. The challenge is to let students identify an ocean topic and develop a school project from it, together with a local ocean stakeholder. After successfully completing the project and sharing its results to the community, schools will receive the European Blue School certification, as a mark of their effort and excellence.
The Network of European Blue Schools is not only an education project, but as much an economic, societal and environmental initiative. The project strengthens collaborations between the participating schools and the universities, municipalities, NGO’s, industry and other marine professionals. Marine stakeholders are involved in the provision of knowledge, activities or teaching resources. Schools actively engage with them and ensure that the results of their Find the Blue Challenge are transferred to the community.
Practical:
When: Online, 20 November 2020, 14:00 – 15:30
Where: Platform SEALOGY® - Il Salone Europeo sulla Blue Economy - The European Exhibition on Blue Economy
Organizator: SEALOGY® in collaboration NGO Ocean Literacy Italia, EU4Ocean and EMSEA (European Marine Science Educators Association).
Credits SEALOGY® partners of the European Commission within the framework VET WEEK1 2020
Lingua-language: English/Italian
Link: http://www.sealogy.it/events/engaging-italian-schools-for-the-ocean/
Programme:
13:45 – 14:00 Welcome and registration of the Participants
14:00 – 14:20 opening
Introduction by chairman Evy Copejans, European Marine Science Educators Association (EMSEA), project manager European Blue Schools (EU4Ocean)
14:15 – 15:10
Panel and breakout room discussions on obstacles and opportunities to develop a Find the Blue Challenge together with schools
- Francesca Alvisi, marine geologist, CNR-ISMAR (National Research Council - Institute of Marine Sciences) research scientist, NGO Ocean Literacy Italia Scientific Committee member;
- Marco Ruscelli, professor and principal of the lower secondary school Viale della Resistenza of Cesena (Italy), II level University Master in School Management;
- Giulia Realdon, biologist, teacher trainer and education researcher, EMSEA board members, NGO Ocean Literacy Italia, EGU (European Geoscience Union) Education Field Officer for Italy
15:10 – 15:30 Conclusion
Registration: