From Empowering Scientific Exploration, Environmental Advocacy to International Cooperation during Erasmus Maris Week

A dedicated team of 9 students, alongside 2 accompanying educators, recently participated in the esteemed Erasmus Maris Week in Boriana, Spain, from September 14th to 19th. This immersive educational initiative was meticulously designed to cultivate scientific research skills, with a particular emphasis on monitoring microplastic pollution and safeguarding marine and aquatic ecosystems. The program encompassed a rich array of activities, including nautical team-building exercises involving students from seven other European schools, practical sampling campaigns conducted onboard sailboats, rigorous lab analysis of environmental samples, and comprehensive database workshops.

Prior to their participation in this significant event, our school’s team engaged in extensive preparatory work throughout the 2024-25 academic year. Weekly meetings and laboratory workshops were dedicated to exploring various facets of microplastics, with a focused interest in the collection and analysis of water samples, primarily from the Brussels region. Furthermore, the team ingeniously constructed rain traps to gather rainwater, seeking to ascertain the presence of microplastics within the complete water cycle. Another key area of investigation explored the impact of microplastics on cellular metabolism, utilizing yeast as a model organism. These innovative research concepts were presented by our students during the Erasmus Maris Week, receiving considerable acclaim for their depth and creativity.

All activities were expertly guided by seasoned professionals, including leading scientists in marine field research and experienced specialists, ensuring both a secure and profoundly enriching experience for all participants. Upon completion of the course, all attendees were awarded valuable certificates, validating their acquired knowledge and laboratory proficiencies in marine research, officially supported by the Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission of UNESCO.

Looking ahead to the 2025-26 academic year, our team will extend an invitation to new students of S4, continuing its vital work on the critical issues of microplastic pollution and its environmental ramifications. We are also poised to embark on an ambitious international collaborative research project with peer European schools from Varese, Italy, and Munich, Germany. This project, titled Impact of Human Activities (Cities) on Microplastics in a River, promises to yield significant findings, which will be formally presented during the subsequent Erasmus Maris Week in 2026.

Artur Baranowski

Integrated Science and Biology Teacher