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Short Abstract

We present the use of the MINKA citizen science observatory in Catalan schools and teacher training, focusing on marine, coastal and aquatic topics. The initiative promotes ocean and water literacy, supports SDGs, and helps schools progress toward European Blue School accreditation.

Abstract

Marine, coastal and aquatic environments offer rich opportunities for citizen science in education, fostering environmental stewardship and ocean and water literacy among students and educators. This presentation examines the application of the MINKA citizen science observatory in Catalan schools, with a focus on marine and coastal topics, and its incorporation into teacher training programs to reach a large number of students.

MINKA enables participants to engage in data collection and analysis related to local aquatic ecosystems, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the EU4Ocean initiative. Through hands-on activities, students investigate marine, coastal, or aquatic biodiversity, pollution, or environmental parameters, while teachers receive support to embed citizen science into their pedagogical practices.

The initiative has been piloted in various educational contexts, demonstrating increased student engagement and stronger connections between schools and their surrounding environments. Teachers report that MINKA facilitates interdisciplinary learning, encourages inquiry-based approaches, and helps integrate sustainability and ocean literacy into the curriculum. These experiences contribute to the broader goal of supporting schools in their journey toward becoming accredited European Blue Schools.

To optimise classroom implementation, several co-design and development workshops have been carried out with Catalan educators. Their feedback led to improvements in the platform, and allowed teachers to gain skills, ownership and trust in using a citizen science platform.

This contribution will share practical insights from fieldwork, highlight challenges and opportunities for scaling the initiative, and invite discussion on how digital citizen science observatories like MINKA can foster long-term engagement with marine or aquatic issues in formal education settings.