Workshop at San Anton School in Malta
We led a workshop at San Anton School in Malta entitled ‘Malta’s underwater forests’, where we explored the biology, threats, conservation efforts, and research methodologies being used to study these unique ecosystems.
Just 1% of the Maltese Islands are considered to be forested. However, look to the seas around Malta and you will discover vast seafloor forests of Neptune grass, or Posidonia oceanica. Endemic to the Mediterranean, P. oceanica protects the coastline from erosion, stores vast quantities of carbon, and forms canopies that are teeming with marine life. However, these forests are under numerous threats from human activities, making their future uncertain.
This interactive workshop, which included approximately 60 Grade 11 Biology and Environmental Studies students aged 14-15 years, we explored their biology, uncovered the main threats, delved into conservation efforts, and researched new and emerging methods that are being used by marine scientists to study these unique ecosystems.
The event formed part of San Anton’s SEA Our Future project, where students across all grades have been engaging in various ocean-related themes over the past scholastic year. Past events have included an open day https://www.sananton.edu.mt/news/sea-our-future-open-day and a science fair https://www.sananton.edu.mt/news/science-fair-sea-our-future .
We are grateful to Ms Bernadette Galea, Ms Sephora Debono, and Ms Maria Pia Galea for entrusting their beloved students to us for the afternoon! We had a great time and we look forward to contribute to other future events at San Anton School.
