Dissemination Activity

https://www.ua.pt/pt/noticias/11/97815

https://www.ua.pt/pt/noticias/11/97599 

On 24th April, a team of biologists from the University of Aveiro, led by Roberto Martins, the project coordinator, brought marine science outreach to the Elementary School 'EB1 de Santiago' in Aveiro, engaging 48 fourth-grade pupils in hands-on activities on marine environmental protection centered on maritime paints. The session introduced ecotoxicology in an accessible and applied way, showing how paints can release contaminants into the sea and how integrated research approaches contribute to developing safer, more efficient, and less toxic maritime coatings, as we are doing on SAFERCOAT, and other Portuguese-funded R&D projects. The practical component allowed pupils to replicate simplified laboratory bioassays to evaluate the ecotoxicity of marine paint leachates using living organisms that they could manipulate. 

A follow-up laboratory activity at the University of Aveiro welcomed 24 pupils from the same school for a second “Ecotoxicologists for another Day” experience in a real research setting. There, they learned a little bit more about ongoing work under the European project SAFERCOAT among others, observed and handled marine organisms used in ecotoxicological testing (bacteria, microalgae, rotifers, mollusks, polychaetes, and crustaceans), and explored how chemicals such as nanomaterials and paints developed in these projects affect marine life.

Together, these activities strengthened science communication, environmental literacy, and early engagement with STEM, while clearly demonstrating how university research on maritime paints contributes to protecting marine ecosystems and advancing sustainable solutions in the blue economy. Furthermore, these are always great opportunities to develop the soft communication skills of our early-stage researchers participating in the activities to whom we give a special thank: Ana Rita Fernandes, Diana Carneiro, Diogo Gama, Joana Figueiredo, and Mariana Bruni.