Summary of project results
"The Bridge between School and Blue Science" was a project that resulted from the partnership between the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and the Atmosphere, IP and the Mission Structure for the Extension of the Continental Shelf, with the objectives of sensitizing secondary school students for the strategic importance of the sea, to promote a better knowledge of the marine sciences and, consequently, to achieve a greater degree of ocean literacy in the younger strata of Portuguese society. It was proposed to implement teaching strategies of investigative nature, with the immersion of students in real contexts of scientific research and the application of educational resources that implement practical activities in the classroom. The proposals were in line with the curricular guidelines and competences to be achieved in secondary education, allowing young people at the end of compulsory education a more enlightened choice in relation to higher education in the area of sciences, especially in the marine sciences, as well as to know more clarity the research in marine sciences held in Portugal and its importance for decision making in the management of marine areas. The main objective of "The Bridge Between School and Blue Science" was to contribute actively to the improvement of the level of ocean literacy, namely with regard to the scientific literacy of the ocean of Portuguese young people through their integration in scientific research environments . The project was published by the communication channels of the IPMA and the national project "Kit do Mar" (site and facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/EMEPC) It was also disclosed through the contact list of schools and educational institutions of the educational project "Kit of the Sea". The II National Congress "The Bridge between the School and the Blue Science" was also held and an exhibition of scientific posters for the dissemination and sharing of the results of the students' research work. The project was publicized in seminars, conferences and events (eg Blue Week - Blue Business Forum, CEI 2015 - Connecting Minds, Creating the Future for the Oceans, International Sea Week held in Sao Tome and Principe, Luso-Portuguese Schools of Macao , 3rd International Congress of Environmental Education of Portuguese-speaking Countries and Communities, among others). The results of this project and its evaluation were also presented at the III EMSEA Congress held in Crete, Greece, at the end of September.