04/10/2005

A significant initiative by the Hellenic Centre for Marine Research (HCMR), aimed at familiarising students and young people with aspects of the aquatic environment (seas, lakes, rivers) and at fostering ecological awareness, was implemented with success. The project is called "Direct Connection to the Aquatic World - Oceanis" ("Open Doors" programme, EPAN, CSF III) and includes three activities for students, young people and the general public.

The first Activity was called "Getting to know the aquatic environment and its inhabitants", was addressed to students aged 10-15 and was aimed at familiarising them with the marine ecosystem through observation. A total of 66 student groups (more than 2,500 students) visited the HCMR facilities at Anavissos, and more than 1,000 students had the opportunity to learn about and visit the aquatic environment, during the academic years 2003-2005. The students actively participated in a series of presentations of specialised videos and empirical educational games/experiments aimed at understanding and protecting the marine environment.

The title of the second Activity was "The New Odyssey"; it took place at Anavissos, Attica, as well as in western Greece (Messolongi, Meganisi, Lefkada, Cephalonia, Ithaki) and was targeted at young people aged 18-28. The groups that visited the 5 areas successively were asked to solve riddles and complete tests relating to ecological themes. The tests called for teamwork and distribution of tasks between the members of each team. The ultimate goal was to provide the participants with specialised information and awareness of the problems that concern the aquatic environment.

Lastly, students, young people and members of the general public participated in a series of events entitled "1945-2005: 60 Years of Marine Research in Greece", which took place in the HCMR facilities, from 18 May to 9 June 2005.

The exhibitions, talks, educational games, contests and concerts organised by the HCMR at its facilities in Athens, Crete and Rhodes were aimed at increasing the public's knowledge and awareness on matters of marine science and technology. With that aim, visitors were guided around the Centre's laboratories, visited the two research vessels AEGEO and PHILIA and were shown the deep-sea vessel THETIS, the remote-controlled submersible robots and the diving equipment.

During the celebrations, posters, flyers, a special educational pack in printed and electronic form, and memorabilia were distributed to teachers, students and other visitors. It should be noted that the audiovisual material and the educational pack, which were developed as part of the project, will be used in the Centre's future educational activities.

Source: HCMR