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Introduction: Empowering young minds through citizen science
Introduction: Empowering young minds through citizen science
Hello dear readers, and welcome to the first LikeMySea newsletter!
This month’s edition of our newsletter will be talking about the amazing world of citizen science. The science in which average people, just like you, help scientists acquire environmental data. Citizen science offers everyone a chance to help out and become part of the movement to make a positive impact in the world!
In this issue, you will discover the activities conducted by Voramar school to support scientists, along with other interesting insights into the world of citizen science.
So, what do you think? Are you ready to become a real scientist and discover how you can contribute to innovative research?
Let’s dig in!
Photo Snorkelling: Discovering Barcelona's Underwater Biodiversity
Photo Snorkelling: Discovering Barcelona's Underwater Biodiversity
Exploring Barcelona’s Hidden Marine Life
Students recently explored the natural pools of Forum Barcelona, observing and classifying marine species like octopi, sea cucumbers, and anemones. The activity revealed the hidden biodiversity of an often-overlooked part of the city.
Goals of the Activity
Goals of the Activity
The snorkelling aimed to raise awareness of marine biodiversity and contribute valuable observations of marine life to conservation efforts, inspiring participants to value and protect these ecosystems.
Student Reflections
Rianna Rotaru, an IB 2 student said, “I was amazed by the variety of species and realised how much we overlook. It’s crucial to protect these ecosystems.”
Visual Highlights
Photos from the activity showcase students in action, vibrant marine life, and the beauty beneath Barcelona’s waters.
You can see some of them below:
Expert voices: Scientists Share Insights on the Power of Citizen Science
Expert voices: Scientists Share Insights on the Power of Citizen Science
Miss Andrea Comaposada Garcia, Founder & Manager of Anèl·lides, M.S. in Environmental Awareness, B.S. in Biology
Miss Andrea Comaposada Garcia, Founder & Manager of Anèl·lides, M.S. in Environmental Awareness, B.S. in Biology
Mr Jaume Piera Fernández, Chief Scientist of ICM. P.h.D. in Environmental Sciences, M.S. in Biology & B.S. in Telecommunication Engineering
For this part of our newsletter, we interviewed two respected scientists in their fields, Andrea Comaposada and Jaume Piera. Their insights helped us shed light on how citizen involvement shapes scientific research and public engagement.
Take a look at their vision of citizen science and its contributions through the following link!
Working together as part of a community:
Working together as part of a community:
Citizen scientists can play an important part in genuine scientific discovery, experiments, data collection and analysis.
Citizen science is a benefit both to the researcher and to the citizen scientist. Through their contributions, the citizen scientist can actively pursue personal values, and be part of a research community seeking the same goals.
The professional scientist can get more data than they would otherwise. This leads to better precision in their measurements and more lines of enquiry in their research.
So, yes, not all of us can be larger-than-life figures such as Albert Einstein or Marie Curie, but we all can —and should— do our bit to help science and protect the environment.
Why Citizen Science Matters for Students and Society
Why Citizen Science Matters for Students and Society
Citizen science fosters curiosity, critical thinking, and stewardship.
Projects like LiKeMySea or the Photo Snorkeling empower students to contribute to vital research, bridging academia and community to inspire environmental action. By joining citizen science projects, students become a part of the scientific community to promote and protect Earth's systems and biodiversity.
Citizen science is open to every single individual willing to do their bit to contribute and accelerate scientific research and discoveries. While bringing different perspectives to science and developing different people's skills that may not be practiced otherwise, it allows everyone to deepen their understanding -and passion- of science as a fascinating way to get to know the world around us and work together to improve it.
Data collection and citizen science platforms
Data collection and citizen science platforms
From field to data: Using citizen science platforms for enhancing students science literacy
The project LikeMySea, funded by Probleu, investigates the efficacy of a multifaceted approach to fostering environmental awareness and action among students regarding Mediterranean Sea protection. By comparing the quality of two Mediterranean coasts (Barcelona and Split), students can strengthen skills and scientific literacy and raise awareness through diffusion and promotion for the future marine sustainability and biodiversity of the Mediterranean Sea coast, from West to East. Students get to transitate from passive learners to active citizen scientists, analysing data, and spearheading creative awareness campaigns. Through student-managed blogs and databases, newsletters and exhibitions they disseminate their findings and inspire action within their communities.
Below you shall find only a few of the thirty species that IB2 Voramón students have had the opportunity to observe during the photosnorkelling session.
Below you shall find only a few of the thirty species that IB2 Voramón students have had the opportunity to observe during the photosnorkelling session.
Ringneck blenny (Parablennius pilicornis)
Mediterranean rainbow wrasse (Coris julis)
Regal Sea Goddess (Felimare picta)
Common octopus (Octopus vulgaris)
Barrel jelly (Rhizostoma pulmo)
Red-mouthed dog winkle (Stramonita haemastoma)
Tompot blenny (Parablennius gattorugine)
Flame Feather Duster Warm (Branchiomma luctuosum)
Study location: Fòrum, Barcelona
Study location: Fòrum, Barcelona
This research has been conducted in the coastal area of Parc del Fòrum, Barcelona.
Coordinates (UTM): 31T 435418.375 E 4584449.938 N
Looking ahead: a future of opportunities
Looking ahead: a future of opportunities
This newsletter, first of the current project, has been carried out thanks to the collaboration and with the consensus of IB Voramón Students, the sea environmental services organisation Anèl·lides and the Marine Sciences Academy (Institut de Ciències del Mar), ICM/CSIC.
As students, we feel fully motivated to become trustworthy citizen scientists and collaborate with the laudable scientific community. We are enthusiastic about doing our bit to broaden scientific understanding while enjoying the process, developing skills and acquiring new, appealing knowledge.
Do you want to know more?
Do you want to know more?
Diving into the heart of Mediterranean knowledge and citizen science
Diving into the heart of Mediterranean knowledge and citizen science
BOOKS:
Goffredo, S., & Dubinsky , Z. (2014). The Mediterranean Sea: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation.
Lesser, M. P. (2022). The biology of the Mediterranean Sea. Oxford University Press.
DOCUMENTARIES:
Fougea, F. (Director). (2022). Mediterranean: Life under Siege . Boréales, Federation Entertainment, Anemon Productions, France Télévisions, RAI, BBC, Terra Mater, & ERT.
Gobin, A., & Ampla, J. (Directors). (2021). Mediterranean: Sea in Danger . Docubay.
BOOKS:
Goffredo, S., & Dubinsky , Z. (2014). The Mediterranean Sea: Biodiversity, Ecology, and Conservation.
Lesser, M. P. (2022). The biology of the Mediterranean Sea. Oxford University Press.
DOCUMENTARIES:
Fougea, F. (Director). (2022). Mediterranean: Life under Siege . Boréales, Federation Entertainment, Anemon Productions, France Télévisions, RAI, BBC, Terra Mater, & ERT.
Gobin, A., & Ampla, J. (Directors). (2021). Mediterranean: Sea in Danger . Docubay.
Written by: Pol Simón Riera, Júlia Fernández Arias, Maria Calinescu and Mar Serrano Esclusa.
With contributions from: Rianna Rotaru, Andrea Comaposada Garcia, and Dr Jaume Piera Fernández
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