WHEN SCIENTIST GO UNDER THE WATER
How knowledgeable are primary and secondary school students about oceans and
underwater cultural heritage? The Treasures of the Seas Workshop was organized based on
this question. In this context, the workshop aimed to raise awareness among primary and
middle school students, aged 8 to 13, who registered to participate, regarding oceans and
underwater cultural heritage.
The workshop took place on September 27 and 28, 2024, on the second day of the
European Researchers' Night, hosted by Galatasaray University, one of the partners of the
Science in Blue project. It was held in room C 315 of the Palace Building from 13:00 to
15:00. Between 12:30 and 13:00, students were registered at the info desk under the
supervision of their parents, with the necessary permissions obtained.
From 13:00 to 13:20, an introduction session was held to meet the students, briefly explaining the purpose of the
Science in Blue project and the objectives and content of the Treasures of the Seas Workshop.
At 13:20, test questions were distributed to primary and middle school students to
assess their awareness of oceans and underwater cultural heritage, and they were asked to
respond. After the students completed the tests, the activity leader read the questions and
answer choices aloud, going over them with the students. Following the joint review of the
test, a 10-minute break was given, during which refreshments were provided.
After the break, a presentation was made to raise awareness among the students on
topics such as the definition and characteristics of oceans and seas, the definition and content
of underwater cultural heritage, and the importance and preservation of underwater cultural
heritage. After the presentation, a gift ceremony took place. Students were invited one by one
to open their treasure chests and receive their gifts.
A total of 20 students participated in the workshop: two students from Malatya and the
remaining 18 from Istanbul. Through the Treasures of the Seas Workshop, students were
provided with significant information about oceans and underwater cultural heritage,
emphasizing that the preservation and sustainability of oceans and underwater cultural
heritage is a key issue for our future and fostering awareness in these areas.