My school voyages with PERSEUS - PERSEUS@SCHOOL
Abstract
PERSEUS@SCHOOL is an international environmental education thematic school network which is inspired and supported by the European research project PERSEUS (Policy Oriented Marine Environmental Research in Southern European Seas_http://www.perseus-net.eu) which is funded by EU FP7 Theme "Ocean of Tomorrow" and it is coordinating by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR). The overall scientific objectives of PERSEUS (FP7) research project are to identify the interacting patterns of natural and human-derived pressures on the Mediterranean and Black Seas, assess their impact on marine ecosystems and, using the objectives and principles of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive as a vehicle, to design an effective and innovative research governance framework based on solid scientific knowledge. This research governance framework will engage scientists, policy-makers and the public, thereby reaching a shared understanding and informed decision-making based on sound scientific knowledge. PERSEUS@SCHOOL network is coordinated by the Department of Environmental Education of the 1st Directorate of Secondary Education of Athens and aims to help and enhance environmental education, focusing on clean seas stewardship in schools. Educators along with marine scientists have a role in supporting and inspiring children to acquire the knowledge, skills and inspire their awareness to live and work as responsible and concerned citizens. For this purpose, the network has designed specific pedagogical activities for primary and secondary education - based on PERSEUS key thematic areas i.e. Marine biodiversity, Overfishing, Chemical Marine Pollution - Bioaccumulation - Health, Eutrophication in Marine Waters and Marine Litter. Complementary, two web-monitoring tools will be used by the network; the Jellyfish Spotting campaign and the Marine LitterWatch (MLW) app (Developed by EEA). A special emphasis is given to MLW app, as school students for first time will use it in order to test this new tool and to monitor beach marine litter in selected areas in Greece. The pedagogical activities of the network will give students an opportunity to explore similarities and differences between schools and nationalities, while simultaneously creating awareness of other young people's reality in a captivating way. PERSEUS@SCHOOL will allow students to use their imagination and knowledge provided by PERSEUS scientists, in order to think and act about the marine environment and its protection in an interactive, appealing and imaginative way. Finally, students will participate in a "true" expedition in the Aegean Sea, on the R/V AEGAEO of the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR). The aim of this expedition is to involve students in marine scientific research and guide them to recognize the 'value' of the Mediterranean Sea and the threats and challenges it faces in the modern world. During this expedition, students will collaborate with marine scientists creating a powerful interactive learning experience, participate in experiments, interpret research findings, draw conclusions and voice their opinion for the "Oceans of tomorrow".
- Publication:
-
EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts
- Pub Date:
- May 2014
- Bibcode:
- 2014EGUGA..16.8355F