This pilot project addressed the degradation of Greece’s marine environments by blending marine science, environmental ethics, and youth-driven civic action. Partnering with the Hellenic Center for Marine Research (HCMR), students designed interactive tools and learning spaces—including the mobile SeaAction Lab, school-based workshops, and a public campaign titled “The Sea Is Not Silent.”

Focusing on SDGs 14 (Life Below Water), 4 (Quality Education), 13 (Climate Action), and 17 (Partnerships for the Goals), the initiative empowered young people to explore their connection to the sea through both data and dialogue, science and storytelling—bringing marine protection to life through interdisciplinary collaboration and public engagement.

Challenge
Despite their ecological importance, the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas are suffering from plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, and declining public awareness. This project tackled the urgent need to turn marine protection into a local, tangible, and emotional priority—especially for young people living near the coast.

Target Groups:
The project engaged high school students and early-career adults (ages 12–30), particularly in coastal zones of Northern Greece. Indirect audiences included teachers, researchers, families, and community members reached through public installations and citizen science activities.

Solution
Students co-developed an interdisciplinary learning toolkit and mobile marine lab, led interactive school sessions, and organized a civic engagement campaign. Tools included audio stations, microplastic sorting challenges, and storytelling platforms that turned scientific insight into public dialogue and personal reflection.

Innovation
The project reimagined marine education as an experience of empathy and empowerment—combining raw data with ethical debate, underwater soundscapes with student pledges. By grounding environmental philosophy in real-world action, it created a model that was mobile, memorable, and emotionally resonant.

Impact
Over 150 youth participated directly, and the SeaAction Lab was adopted for continued use by a coastal education center. The public campaign gained media attention, and HCMR expressed interest in integrating the materials into its national outreach programs.

This student project is submitted through:
Aristotle University of Thessaloniki
It involved five students from the Department of Philosophy and Education

Project poster: Download Here