Three researchers from the BIOCON group are teaching a combined activity at the ULPGC Marine Science and Technology Park, consisting of two participatory training sessions for secondary school students, to provide a comprehensive overview of marine conservation, from deep-sea research to collective reflection on the future of our islands and oceans.
The Biodiversity and Conservation (BIOCON) group of the ECOAQUA University Institute, belonging to the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), has taught this November, at the ULPGC Marine Science and Technology Park, a combined activity for high school students with the aim of offering young people a comprehensive overview of marine conservation, from offshore research to collective reflection on the future of our islands and oceans, teaching science in a fun and enjoyable way and helping students discover the importance of the richness of marine biodiversity.
This activity was carried out by researchers Inma Herrera, Candelaria Cecilia Ruano and Yaiza Fernández-Palacios as part of the Canary Islands Science and Innovation Weeks, an initiative promoted by the Regional Ministry of Universities, Science, Innovation and Culture of the Canary Islands Government, through the Canary Islands Agency for Research, Innovation and the Information Society (ACIISI).
Group photo of researchers Inma Herrera, Candy Cecilia Ruano and Yaiza Fernández-Palacios with participating students.
This combined activity, entitled “The journey of marine conservation: science, planning and ocean culture”, consisted of two educational activities entitled: 'Ocean explorers! Experience an oceanographic campaign up close. Have you ever wondered what it's like to explore the oceans?“, taught by Inma Herrera, and 'Your role in marine conservation. From knowledge to marine planning... and Ocean Culture invites you to participate”, taught by Candelaria Cecilia Ruano and Yaiza Fernández-Palacios.
The main objective of this combined activity was for the participating students, a group of 1st year Baccalaureate students from IES Arguineguín Lidia Pulido, to discover the different levels of work and knowledge that need to be incorporated into research and management for marine conservation.
Some of the participating students with researcher Inma Herrera.
Sparking interest in oceanography
More specifically, the first activity aimed to introduce participants to the fascinating world of marine research, showing them how oceanographic campaigns are carried out in real life.
Through photographs, videos and personal accounts, attendees were able to learn first-hand about the work scientists do on the high seas, the instruments they use and the discoveries they make.
This experience seeks to spark interest in oceanography, showcasing not only the scientific fundamentals of these expeditions, but also the human experiences that accompany them: the challenges of working in the ocean, teamwork and the thrill of discovery. The scope of the activity included an introduction to the process of an oceanographic campaign, the presentation of technologies used in marine exploration and the promotion of scientific vocations, especially among the younger generations.
This activity is part of the Interreg MAC project ‘IMPLACOST’ (https://proyectoimplacost.org/).
The main objective of the activity “Your role in marine conservation...” was to raise awareness of the importance of Marine Spatial Planning for the sustainable management of human activities in coastal and marine areas, using the comic strip and board game “A puzzle on the coast”, designed and produced as part of the educational and outreach material for the Interreg MAC Plasmar+ project.
Researcher Yaiza Fernández-Palacios with students carrying out one of the activities based on a board game.
Through a brief presentation of the concept and elements of the workshop, the aim was to convey the need for marine spatial planning with an ecosystem approach, i.e., seeking a balance between human activities and the conservation of the natural marine heritage, as well as the development of tools to facilitate the management of the various activities that take place on the coast and at sea. The projects and examples shown focused on the Macaronesian archipelagos of the Canary Islands, Madeira and the Azores.
Participants were also shown how research work is carried out in universities and research centres as a way of supporting scientific and technological vocations among young people, using as an example the development of a line of research related to marine spatial planning with an ecosystem approach through successive projects that, over the years, are serving to develop knowledge in this field. In this case, the development of the line of research has been supported by the ECOAQUA Plasmar, Plasmar+, Marine Sabres, ReMAP and ECOMARIS projects.
Within the framework of the Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030), the second activity sought to convey the values and challenges facing humanity in relation to the oceans. By incorporating Ocean Culture, critical reflection was encouraged among participants through a participatory activity: a collective diagnosis of the most relevant aspects for the Canary Islands, which allowed for the identification of priority challenges in terms of management and awareness-raising in vulnerable territories such as small islands.
In this way, young people not only learned about the value of the sea as a vital pillar of their environment, but also became actively involved in the great global puzzle towards a sustainable, resilient and fair future.
This action was part of the activities of the Interreg MAC programme projects ‘ECOMARIS’ (www.ecomaris.eu) and the Horizon Europe programme project ‘Marine Sabres’ (www.marinesabres.eu).
Poster for Science and Innovation Weeks in the Canary Islands 2025.
Now in its 21st year, Science and Innovation Weeks in the Canary Islands brought science, innovation and the work of the researchers who make it possible to audiences of all ages (students, teachers, families, associations, companies, specialist groups and the general public from all the islands) between 3 and 16 November. During these days, the event has rolled out a series of participatory activities on the islands that address essential topics such as sustainability, health, renewable energy, the environment, artificial intelligence, the circular economy and scientific culture. In this way, the Weeks connect citizens with the research being carried out in the Canary Islands and promote a joint vision of a more informed and sustainable future.