How do you explain marine biodiversity to a child? Through a story, an animal made from recycled materials, and a game that transforms letters into a message about the sea.
This is the idea that CORILA brought to “Waiting for Kid Pass Days 2026,” organizing two educational workshops on May 2nd, inspired by the European project POSEIDONE, co-funded by the Interreg VI-A Italy-Slovenia 2021-2027 Program. The goal was simple: to teach children about the value of coastal ecosystems and show how even everyday actions can contribute to protecting the sea.
The “Extraordinary Animals” and “Plastic Alphabet: A Name for the Sea” workshops were inspired by the illustrated book PLASTISSEA, created as part of the project as a tool for scientific communication aimed at children. From reading the book, the children moved on to hands-on activities: preschoolers built marine creatures using recycled materials, while older children created words and messages about biodiversity and marine protection using an original illustrated alphabet.
A CORILA researcher accompanied the activities throughout the day, answering participants’ questions and exploring the themes addressed in the book. Alongside the workshops, informational materials about the project were also available, allowing parents to learn about the activities POSEIDONE is developing to protect biodiversity in the Northern Adriatic.
Environmental education is one of the tools POSEIDONE uses to make biodiversity conservation a topic that resonates with people. Alongside research, planning, and support for conservation policies, the project also invests in scientific dissemination, because building a culture of conservation means starting with the younger generations. The Kid Pass workshops are a step in this direction: transforming complex topics into simple, engaging, and accessible experiences, without sacrificing scientific rigor.
Visit the project home pages for more information:
https://www.corila.it/en/portfolio/poseidone-interreg-vi-a-italy-slovenia-2023-2026/
