| Popis: |
Sometimes, a vivid interest in ocean topics can form a first stepping stone into the world of ocean science: At GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research in Kiel, Germany, every Friday afternoon 12 to 14 teenagers from different schools meet in the “Friday Researchers Club”. Supported by GEOMAR’s staff, they work together in teams on projects related to various aspects of ocean sciences, e.g. the reaction of mussels to different kinds of environmental stress, the analysis of nutrient and oxygen concentrations in Kiel Fjord, or the technology required for autonomous underwater drones. Projects extend from a few months up to several years, and the pupils gradually evolve from “interested” to “expert”. This approach to “enhanced ocean literacy” poses a formidable and yet rewarding challenge not only to the youngsters but also to their advisors, because it continuously exceeds the limits of the previous experience of both. This presentation will introduce the format, show examples of the projects carried out by the pupils, and discuss the requirements in terms of time and resources for this type of approach. |
