Ocean education
Ocean education
Our Ocean is our future
A key part of our mission to understand, protect and explore the ocean is to communicate our research and findings to society. For this reason, the Ocean Education Unit, together with countless researchers and students, have been committed over the years to nurturing the next generation of marine scientists and retaining fresh talent in our research groups.
At CCMAR, we know that an ocean-literate society, aware of our impact on the ocean and the ocean's impact on us, is vital to securing our future and exploring this precious resource in a sustainable way. Therefore, we are committed to this knowledge transfer. Through collaborative efforts and high-impact initiatives such as campaigns, exhibitions and public events, we have engaged with diverse audiences to disseminate research and foster dialogue on pressing ocean-related issues.
The Ocean is the heartbeat of our BLUE PLANET: it sustains life in ways we are only beginning to grasp. Our future depends on a thriving Ocean, now more than ever.
Raising a blue generation
At CCMAR, we focus on educating the next generation of informed citizens who are committed to the protection, conservation, and sustainable use of the ocean. Through our Ocean Education Program, we have been directly impacting the school community. Since 2018, we have involved more than 17,000 students, from preschool to 12th grade, in initiatives that aim to:
- Increase knowledge about the ocean and environmental awareness.
- Encourage interest in science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM).
Our commitment to promoting scientific literacy, and in particular Ocean Literacy, is strategic for the Algarve region, reinforcing our position as one of the largest marine research centers in the country.
In this way, we are investing in the present to ensure a more sustainable future, training the agents of change that our planet and our ocean need.
A “Blue Agenda” for the school community
To facilitate access to all our science education and communication initiatives, we have created the Blue Agenda , through which we facilitate the scheduling and booking of the different activities we offer. Our Blue Agenda includes activities in a school environment — such as our lectures, workshops, and collaborative projects with classes, visits and internships in our laboratories, and events with other partners, such as the Marine Science Fair.
Activities in Schools
Through interactive lectures and workshops, our researchers present a variety of topics related to marine science, from advances in genetics to the effects of climate change. We also develop projects and practical activities in collaboration with schools, providing a direct and enriching link between our research and the classroom.
Annual Marine Science Fair
To celebrate National Science Culture Day, we organize an annual Marine Science Fair in collaboration with partners. Our researchers present their work and its relevance, while students participate in hands-on experiments on topics such as marine ecology, climate change, and blue biotechnology. This immersive experience sparks curiosity and deepens the knowledge of the school community.
We open the doors to our laboratories
During our open days, we open our doors to the school community so that students and teachers can meet researchers and technicians, learn about their academic and professional backgrounds, explore laboratories and scientific projects in action, and be inspired by those who work daily to understand and preserve the ocean.
Citizen Science
At CCMAR, we develop Citizen Science projects, inviting the public, as well as the school community, to actively participate in marine scientific research. Join us in this mission to contribute to the knowledge and conservation of our ocean.
We integrate young people into our teams
For one week at the beginning of summer, students in grades 9 through 12 have the opportunity to join our research teams — a unique hands-on experience that allows them to interact directly with scientists and learn about working methodologies in various fields of marine science.
Engage with us
We welcome everyone to take part in our Ocean Science Education Programme, which includes regular activities and other initiatives organized by the CCMAR Ocean Education Unit, together with our scientific community. Following our mission of promoting science and fostering ocean literacy, we are open to collaborating with the school community and other societal partners in new initiatives and projects.
Feel free to reach out to us, we're here to assist you.
