Surfstainable: education, surfing, citizen science (online)

What

The ocean is a valuable resource that provides energy, genetic diversity, and mineral resources while also serving as a cultural and societal identity for us. It is essential for achieving global development, promoting human well-being, and protecting the environment. However, its state of health is in danger due to the increase in CO2 dissolved in the water, which has changed its chemistry and led to acidification, resulting in the destruction of ecosystems.

To address the shortage of ocean literacy, we have created SURFSTAINABLE, a citizen science initiative that brings together surfers, sustainability advocates, and a surf company (ETHA surfboards). Our mission is to create scientific data, eco-sustainable products, and innovative experiments through research, motivation, ambition, and passion. We believe that the collaboration between citizens and science can preserve natural spaces and encourage sustainable development. Being a sea lover means protecting and preserving it as a natural instinct and defending it from its weaknesses.

We offer two online workshops to anyone interested in citizen science, non-formal education, environmental sustainability, and marine and ocean conservation. In these workshops, participants will learn about citizen science and how science is currently monitoring ocean and sea temperatures. We will also discuss the environmental and sustainability issues surrounding the surf industry.

In the second part of the workshops, we will introduce participants to an IoT connected device that our team has engineered to monitor water temperature in areas that scientists cannot typically reach. We will explain how the sensors work, how they can be integrated into a surfboard, and how data is collected and displayed on our citizen science platform. The platform gathers data collected and displays it on an online website, making it visible to any user.

Our workshops are an opportunity for educators to learn how to engage youth in citizen science projects on marine and ocean conservation with a digital twist. We encourage participants to leverage digital technology to create DIY gadgets that can make a scientific contribution. They are also an invitation for anyone to become an active ocean caretaker and join a community of people committed to preserving marine ecosystems for the decades to come.

Each session includes a Q&A session, and interaction between participants and facilitators is encouraged at any point.

Who

The workshops will be led by a multidisciplinary team that includes researchers in environmental and sustainability science, digital facilitators, and individuals who are behind the initiative, such as the founder of ETHA surfboards and the founders of the Posidonia Green Project association.

For whom

The sursfatinable online workshops are open to anyone residing in the european union. no requirement in terms of age range, background knowledge or affiliation.

When

The Sustainable Workshops will take place during the week starting April 10th , 2023. A second identical session will take place during the week commencing April 17th. Two 1-hour workshops are scheduled for each session, including an introduction to the initiative and citizen science, and a presentation of the prototyped connected device.

Days and time are as follows:

Session 1 

26/04/2023, 18-19 pm

27/04/2023, 18-19 pm

Session 2

03/05, 10-11 am

04/05, 10-11 am

Please not all times are CET times.

How?

The surfstainable workshops will be hosted online (visio conferencing). A zoom link will be sent to all participants in due time, and after registering for the event.

How to Apply

Follow this link to apply for either of the two sessions.