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Description
A Drop in the Ocean (Uma Gota no Oceano (PT)) will result in a science podcast with the same name, consisting of a series of 24 episodes that will focus on the seven Essential Principles on the scientific culture of the Ocean. The main purpose is to make citizens capable of making educated and responsible decisions about the ocean and its resources. Although this is a consolidated theme on the political agenda and several indicators show ocean awareness has been growing, it still does not translate into significant benefits for the sustainable development of the Oceans. In this regard, A Drop in the Ocean arises from realizing that Ocean awareness through traditional Environmental Education Actions has not been enough, as these normally attract a school-age audience or people already aware of these issues. Nowadays, it is essential to monitor the changes and trends in the behaviour of the target groups of the awareness campaigns, or there is a risk that they will have a limited reach and impact. At a time when the Internet opens borders and creates new paths, podcasts are one of the most comprehensive and most vital means of communication today and can become a popular means of communicating science, in particular ocean literacy.
Summary of project results
The project "GONE - A Drop in the Ocean" was designed to tackle the insufficient ocean literacy among young people and the broader society''s lack of awareness about the critical importance of marine conservation. Despite growing awareness, this has not yet translated into effective actions for sustainable ocean resource management. The challenge lay in reaching a wider audience, particularly younger demographics, with engaging and accessible content that could educate and inspire responsible decision-making regarding the ocean.
The project produced and published a series of 24 podcast episodes, each carefully designed to explore different aspects of ocean literacy and marine conservation. The podcasts were released on a regular schedule, initially fortnightly and later weekly, across multiple platforms including Spotify and Google Podcasts. The episodes are all spoken in Portuguese.
Additionally, the project team conducted educational outreach activities, including visits to schools where students were engaged directly in discussions about marine conservation. Two special episodes of the podcast were recorded during these school visits: one for Children’s Day and another for International Youth Day. These visits helped to make the podcast content more interactive and grounded in real-world educational experiences.
The project maintained an active online presence through a dedicated website and social media channels, including Instagram, where each episode was promoted. The Instagram account, which played a key role in reaching a broader audience and enhancing engagement, can be accessed here.
In addition to the podcasts, the project also maintained an active online presence through a dedicated website and social media channels, including Instagram, where each episode was promoted. The project engaged in various educational outreach activities, including visits to schools and participation in public events like the European Researchers'' Night.
The "GONE - Uma Gota no Oceano" [A drop in the ocean (EN)] project successfully raised awareness about ocean literacy among a diverse audience. This is supported by several key metrics: the podcast garnered a total of 1,577 plays and 202 subscribers on
Spotify, indicating strong engagement with the content. Geographically, the podcast reached 85% of its audience in Portugal, while also attracting listeners from Brazil (8%) and Mozambique (2%), demonstrating its broader appeal and relevance.
While the project initially targeted younger listeners, it effectively engaged older demographics as well, with 24% of the audience aged 28-34 and 37% aged 35-59. This suggests that the content resonated beyond the intended demographic, further amplifying its impact.
In addition, the project’s social media presence, particularly on Instagram, enhanced its reach, with 675 followers and significant engagement, especially through Reels. Informal feedback collected during in-person activities such as school visits and public events was overwhelmingly positive, with participants finding the content educational and relevant.
The long-term impact of the project lies in its continued availability online, where it serves as a valuable resource for ocean literacy. Additionally, the lessons learned from this project could inform future initiatives aimed at engaging younger audiences in environmental conservation.