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Short Abstract

The ProBleu project develops educational resources promoting water literacy through open schooling and citizen science. This study examines how schools integrate citizen science activities, analyses the platforms used, and evaluates changes in pupils' participation and literacy.

Abstract

The EU Mission “Restore our Ocean & Waters” (Mission Ocean) aims to protect and restore marine and freshwater ecosystems and biodiversity by preventing and eliminating pollution of oceans, seas, and water, thanks to integrated research, innovation, investment, and citizen participation. Ocean and water literacy among children and adolescents is essential for fostering informed environmental stewards and supporting the long-term goals of the Mission. The ProBleu project (Promoting Ocean and Water Literacy in School Communities), funded under the Horizon Europe programme (Project No. 101113001), develops educational resources and tools that promote knowledge of aquatic ecosystems through Open Schooling methodologies incorporating citizen science (CS) projects. This paper examines how ProBleu-funded school projects integrate CS components and contribute to Mission Ocean objectives. Using content analysis of school projects and an online survey of pupils, we (1) compare how schools across Europe and beyond design CS activities, (2) analyse which citizen science platforms and tools they use, and (3) evaluate schoolchildren's participation and literacy change. We also include a coarse descriptor of school-led dissemination (user-generated content) as a contextual factor. This indicator is used only as a control variable to explore associations with pupils’ perceived engagement. The results highlight diverse pathways through which CS supports environmental education, demonstrating its potential to enhance scientific engagement and civic responsibility while identifying challenges in sustaining meaningful youth involvement in science. Keywords: CS in schools; EU Mission; Restore our Ocean & Waters.