Environmental Education
One important aspect of Archipelagos' work is to support the promotion of environmental education through our experience on research and protection of the environment of Aegean. For this purpose, Archipelagos scientists in parallel to their research work, dedicate a lot of time offering lessons to the schools of the islands, as well as to the design of environmental education material. Environmental education activities are carried out on a voluntary basis (as is overall Archipelagos' work) and is provided by the researchers of Archipelagos as an "investment" aiming to ensure the development of environmental awareness in the next generation. In order to be able to achieve this difficult work, the support of Archipelagos members and friends is invaluable.
Archipelagos offers lessons, both theoretical and field surveys, in applied environmental education which are addressed to students of European universities and schools. Moreover, practical training is offered for teachers of primary and secondary education.
The Archipelagos Environmental Education team consists of scientists from various specialties working together with multimedia specialists, graphic designers and artists. They cooperate to create digital and printed material for environmental education and awareness (booklets, books, DVD, digital educational games, educational cartoons and documentary films).
By providing teachers training, production and promotion of environmental education material, we aim to spread the experience we have gained from Archipelagos research of the rare Aegean biodiversity and also to make people aware of the urgent need for all of us to participate in conservation actions.
Schools of Aegean
Each year since 2000 up until today, Archipelagos' scientists have offered environmental education to the pupils of the Aegean schools.
The lessons are given all year around to the primary and secondary schools of Aegean islands where Archipelagos work. Lessons focus on developing children's familiarity with the environment of their island and with the marine and terrestrial organisms that live there. This is done through the description of the basic facts of the organisms' biology and behavior, as well as the threats facing islands' environment, and how local communities can participate actively in the conservation and sustainable management During the lessons the environmental education material of Archipelagos is used.
From 2006, schools have the ability to visit research bases in Ikaria and Patmos where they can participate in lessons and field surveys, while at the same time meeting researchers from Greece and another 12 EU and Mediterranean countries who are working as volunteers for Archipelagos.
Schools of Europe
With the aim of promoting communication and cooperation in the field of environmental awareness at a European level, Archipelagos offers lessons in applied environmental research (field courses) to European school pupils' by combining theoretical lessons and field surveys
High school students of Grupul Scolar Silvic of Romania participating in field surveys and theoretical lessons.
Graphic design students from Escola
Profissional Fialho de Almeida of Portugal worked together with Archipelagos' scientists in order to design
posters for environmental awareness in public health issues.
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Universities
Archipelagos also offers a series of applied environmental research lessons (field courses), which are addressed to students of European universities. These lessons are aiming to offer a broad-spectrum approach of marine and terrestrial ecosystems studies, combining theoretical lessons and practical training in natural environment research in the area of eastern Aegean
Material for environmental education
The creation of environmental education material is the main work carried out by Archipelagos Environmental Education team. In this way we can address a high number of schools and pupils from many regions of Greece
A. Printed material
Photographic Guide for the Identification of the Species of Marine Flora and Fauna of the Aegean Sea.
Since 2003, we have been preparing a series of photographic guides for the identification of marine and terrestrial flora and fauna of the Aegean Sea. The first book in the series, The Photographic Guide for the Identification of the Species of Marine Flora and Fauna of the Aegean Sea will be published soon in Greek and English.
Books for primary and high school pupils
Three books of environmental education aimed at pupils in the last years of primary schools' and high schools are currently being prepared. "The marine world of Aegean" and "The birds of Aegean" present the basic concepts of marine biology and ornithology correspondingly, through the description of the species that live in Aegean Sea. In addition, with the cooperation of marine scientists from Balears and the local government of the region, we are preparing an educational comic book, for the protection of the endangered species of the Mediterranean based on the experience of local communities from various Mediterranean regions
Informational Material
With the aim to provide information and develop awareness in the local communities, printed informational material (posters, pamphlets) are being prepared, on topics such as:
- the biodiversity and the urgent need for protection Aegean Sea environment
- the public health and the use of dangerous materials-devices
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B. Digital Material
The use of new technology for the creation of environmental education material is a very effective way of approaching young people. Therefore Archipelagos priorities the production of digital educational material and prepares material such as:
- The educational cartoon: "Discovering the marine world of Aegean"(20 minutes long). It is addressed to pupils of primary education and presents the marine species of the Aegean, as well as the fundamentals related to their biology and to the protection of species and ecosystems. The cartoon is available in both Greek and English.
- A DVD with a series of digital educational games (quiz & role playing game) on the biodiversity and the threats of the Aegean Sea.
- A series of educational games (quiz & role playing game) with topics related to the biodiversity and threats of the Aegean Sea environment.
- A series of species illustrations of the marine fauna and flora of the Aegean, which will be used in various educational materials.
Designing cartoon "Discovering the marine world of Aegean Sea"
For the preparation of the educational material, artists specialized on marine species illustrating, create designs of the marine mammals, fishes and invertebrates of Aegean
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Training of Teachers
Since the starts of 2006 Archipelagos environmental education work includes training of teachers, in issues related to the conservation of the Aegean Sea environment. For this purpose, Archipelagos offers the following:
a) Training seminars which are addressed to environmental education teachers from the islands.
The subjects related to the biodiversity of the Aegean Sea, as well as the threats facing this environment. The content of the seminars varies according the environmental characteristics of each island. These seminars are carried out in collaboration with the local educational authorities.
Training seminar on "The biodiversity of Samos-Ikaria-Fourni, in applied environmental education", organized by Archipelagos, in collaboration with the Environmental Education Office of Samos Prefecture
b) Training of postgraduate students of Environmental Education at the University of the Aegean.
The content of is practical training is the use of applied research and conservation of natural ecosystems in environmental education
Designing environmental education material, by postgraduate students of Aegean University, at the research base in Ikaria
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Environmental Awareness Events
From Partthe event in Patmos on "The unique biodiversity of the Aegean Sea"
Part of the events is dedicated to children and developing their environmental awareness, by using the educational material produced by Archipelagos
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