ERASMUS MARIS: A botttom up initiative

We advocate for the implementation of a new Erasmus in Europe dedicated to the preservation of Oceans and Waters

Erasmus Maris aim to make a significant impact in the field of environmental education and research by providing innovative approaches and tools that have the potential to transform current practices. 

The Erasmus Maris concept
 In a nutshell, Erasmus Maris is a holistic approach within a real world environment for the design and run of scientific studies co-created by scientists and teachers of upper secondary schools (age 15+) within the scope of preserving the marine environment.

Concretely, the Erasmus Maris approach consists of a process that encompasses three phases:


Erasmus Maris Co-creation Platform:
  The main objective is to achieve a fair balance between educational and scientific needs and goals. 
Within the Erasmus Maris Co-creation platform, a network of lead scientists and educators design/monitor a  Citizen Science study aimed to be implemented at an EU-wide scale. The design  is carried out by scientists in collaboration with a network of teachers and school managers . ASE, the European Commission's Joint Research Centre, the Blue Growth Research Lab of University of Ghent, the Thomas More University together with the European school of Mol are organising test and demo actions in Belgium and also in Spain (in collaboration with the regional government Generalitat Valenciana).
 

Implementation phase:
We are now running tests and demos with upper secondary schools, research institutions and public administrations within the RAISE-CS project. The implementation of pedagogical and scientific activities at EU-scale carried out in schools and their nearby aquatic environment (rivers, lakes or seas)

 
The Erasmus Maris cross communication forum:
Main target: The pupils
An inclusive transnational event to facilitate cross-communication and further interaction with the scientists. The event gathers participating schools that exchange their experiences (cross-communication), discuss their results  and co-organise awareness campaigns. Furthermore, the students and their teachers take part in a scientific campaign related to the chosen theme aboard a sailboat.  ASE, the autonomous government (Generalitat Valenciana), The European Commission's Joint Research Centre and the University of Ghent are organising test and demo actions in the region of Valencia (Comunidad Valenciana - Spain)
 

What is happening now?

RAISE-CS 
RAISing Education's sails through Citizen Science

Upcoming events

The sailboat has a strong power of attraction over youth because it conveys an ecological message and produces a feeling of freedom and adventure. 
The pedagogical sailboat concept within the Erasmus Maris.
Within the Erasmus Maris week, the sailboat is used as a motivation factor and a contextual environment to acquire:

Transversal competence: organisation, communication, team working, leadership etc.
Technical competences: The technical competences are acquired through hands-on activities on the engine, the electrical installation, the onboard electronics, etc.