Our Ocean, Our Planet. Explore, Protect, Create

The project “Our Ocean, Our Planet. Explore, Protect, Create”, carried out within the Horizon Europe – SHORE framework, brought together students and teachers from Romania, Turkey, and Italy to strengthen ocean literacy and empower young people as changemakers for the environment.

Students aged 8–16 became active researchers, explorers, and creators. They tested water quality in rivers, navigated waterways, planted trees, cleaned riverbanks, and collaborated internationally on digital productions such as films, games, and e-books. They used recycled and natural materials. They created artistic works. These communicated sustainability values. They communicated these to peers and local communities.
Green competencies that the participants acquired included responsible use of resources, appreciation of biodiversity, critical thinking about climate change, futures literacy, collective action and eco-innovation. Romanian students not only learned hands-on methods of protecting local rivers, but also linked their findings with global ocean issues, strengthening the vision that "local action matters globally."

Teaching methods were very important for this change. Experiential learning guided fieldwork and eco-actions; inquiry-based learning framed experiments and data collection; project-based learning led to digital creations and artworks; collaborative learning fostered teamwork through shared online tools; and STEAM integration connected science, technology, art, and civic responsibility in authentic contexts. Parents and local communities were engaged as well. They joined clean-ups. They took part in planting activities. They held awareness events.

International collaboration through eTwinning allowed students to work in mixed teams. They co-created digital books. They designed awareness games. They exchanged good practices, which developed intercultural understanding and gave the project a strong European dimension. Romanian teachers also travelled to partner schools in Turkey,where they led workshops, taught eco-focused lessons, and shared innovative classroom practices, inspiring colleagues and students alike.

One of the most exciting parts of the project was the use of satellite data in student research. Students used real satellite information to watch water and weather, connecting science ideas with real local things. This approach strengthened digital and scientific skills. It also stimulated exploratory and critical thinking. It opened new horizons for eco-education.

By the time the project finished, it was obvious that the students had changed. They had started to believe in environmental protection and wanted to make a difference. They learned to mix science with creativity, responsibility with action, and working with local people with working with people from other countries. Teachers also enriched their green and digital pedagogy. They built long-term European partnerships.

"Our Ocean, Our Planet. Explore, Protect, Create" project showed that education can go beyond just sharing information to include action and values, equipping the next generation with the skills to explore, protect and create for a sustainable future.

A summary of the project can be viewed here.