UC project empowers young generations to become agents of change in environmental and marine conservation
Researchers engaged with high school students, imparting knowledge about the ocean, improving their marine literacy skills, and encouraging them to play an active role in environmental protection.
The Bluewave project, coordinated by Ana Marta Gonçalves, a researcher at the Faculty of Sciences and Technology of the University of Coimbra (FCTUC), has carried out various activities related to environmental and marine conservation over the past three years, aiming to empower young people to become agents of change.
"The project aimed to raise young people's awareness of the importance of preserving the oceans, promote behavioral changes regarding the exploitation of marine resources, and provide teachers with resources to improve the quality of education," says Gonçalves, who also works at the Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE).
Throughout the project, Ana Marta Gonçalves visited seven schools in mainland Portugal and the islands, where she engaged with secondary school students, imparting knowledge about the ocean, developing their marine literacy skills, and encouraging them to play an active role in environmental protection, including beach cleaning.
"We hope that BlueWave has instilled environmental awareness and responsibility in these young generations and that they will carry these values into adulthood, becoming active citizens committed to preserving our planet," she concludes.
