Engagement
Communication at SplashLab is the bridge between schoolwork and the reality of our region. By integrating the sea and local knowledge into learning, we ensure that projects gain utility beyond the classroom and that the students' efforts have a real impact on the community.
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We want school to stop being seen as a world apart. By opening these doors, we show that knowledge continues throughout the territory they inhabit and that our students are not distant figures. The goal is for them to return to their roots not just as academics, but as an integral part of the community to which they belong.
VISIT TO RIA FORMOSA AND THE ISLANDS
The 9th-grade students from Dr. João Lúcio Secondary School embarked on a unique experience exploring the Ria Formosa, many of them visiting the islands of Culatra and Farol for the very first time. During the boat trip, they observed the complex dynamics of the tides, the layout of the inlets and navigation channels, as well as the aquaculture beds, where oyster farming serves as a prime example of sustainable natural resource management in the region.
One of the primary goals of the activity was to show students the true extent of the Ria Formosa and the synergy between its various elements: the water, the channels, the islands, and the human activities that thrive around them. The visit allowed them to understand how the fishing industry and canning factories are linked to the history and economy of Olhão, offering an integrated view of the relationship between the local community and the marine ecosystem. This interpretation of industrial and natural heritage was conducted from the sea, along the Olhão waterfront.
VISITS AND GUEST LECTURES
As part of SplashLab, we established partnerships with several organizations focused on marine environment projects, allowing students to access new scientific perspectives and hands-on experiences. These collaborations were essential in deepening their understanding of the ocean's role and marine ecosystems in daily life and the local economy.
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Notable among these activities was "A Conversation with an Expert!" featuring researcher Farhat Bajwa from CIMA (Centre for Marine and Environmental Research). She addressed the topic of marine pollution, raising students' awareness of human impacts on the oceans.
​The 9th-grade students also visited the Algarve Ciência Viva Center in Faro, a hands-on learning experience outside the classroom focused on ocean literacy, marine ecosystems, and environmental preservation. This visit allowed them to concretely explore the impact of human activities on ecosystems and better understand the challenges of marine conservation.​​
We also wish to thank the School Library team, who made the “Cientificamente Provável” (Scientifically Probable) lectures possible, in partnership with CCMAR Algarve (Centre of Marine Sciences). This organization also provided informative exhibition materials for the school, enriching the project and strengthening the bond between students, scientific research, and ocean protection.
2nd NATIONAL OCEAN LITERACY CONFERENCE
On November 7th and 8th, students (and Blue School ambassadors) Guilherme Martins and Vicente Luís participated in the 2nd National Ocean Literacy Conference, organized by Ciência Viva and the National Committee for the Ocean Decade, at the Pavilion of Knowledge – Ciência Viva, in Lisbon.
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The students joined the panel “Ocean Literacy Through the Voice of Youth,” where they presented reflections on the preservation of the Ria Formosa and local economic development. Their participation allowed them to practice communication skills and public speaking, presenting ideas in a clear and responsible manner.
​During the event, the school also showcased the activities developed under the SplashLab and +Azul projects, including observations conducted during kayaking campaigns, sailing initiations, and scuba diving sessions. The Robótica XL Club demonstrated prototypes such as an underwater ROV and a water surface cleaning boat, showcasing the practical applications of science and technology in protecting aquatic ecosystems.
The initiative also included a visit from Mariana Viegas, a former student and Marine Biologist, who mentored and supported the students during the conference.
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The participation was also an opportunity to meet partners, establish professional contacts, and define future collaborations.
From left to right: António Espadaneira (AEFFL Blue School Coordinator); Carina Galvão (+Azul Coordinator); Ana Noronha (Executive Director of Ciência Viva); Vicente Luís (AEFFL Blue School Student Ambassador); Pedro Russo (Astrophysicist); Guilherme Martins (AEFFL Blue School Student Ambassador).
SEA OF MEMORIES
MAR DE MEMÓRIAS
​Within the scope of eTwinning, we established contact with the Agrupamento de Escolas D. Lourenço da Lourinhã (Portugal), the Escola Básica e Secundária da Ilha de Santa Maria (Azores), the Instituto de Educación Secundaria Los Molinos de Cartagena (Spain), and the 1st Vocational High School of Amorgos (Greece), creating a European partnership based on the sharing of experiences, knowledge, and marine-related contexts.​​
The “Sea of Memories / Mar de Memórias” project promotes the meeting of different generations to explore and value maritime traditions. Through interviews, students collect and record oral histories, preserving memories associated with navigation and traditional fishing, linking them to local marine biodiversity and current conservation challenges. While younger students engage in creative and narrative activities, older students take on research, recording, and digital content production, working collaboratively with European partner schools.
eTwinning is a European initiative that promotes collaboration between schools from different countries through the development of joint educational projects using digital tools. It allows students and teachers to share experiences, work as a team, and learn in real-world contexts, strengthening the European dimension of education.
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Click to visit the website:
https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/etwinning
LEARNING SCENARIOS
We grow by learning from others, and we believe that sharing is the foundation of a fairer and more democratic school. Therefore, we want our practices to go beyond our doors and reach other educational contexts. We know that resources vary, but the essence of our activities is flexible and adaptable to any environment.​
Novigado is a European project, funded by the Erasmus+ programme, which supports schools and teachers in adopting more active, collaborative, and student-centred pedagogical practices. It provides an online platform with tools, learning scenarios, and examples of best practices, aiming to promote sharing, the adaptation of resources, and collaboration among educators from diverse contexts.
Among its advantages, Novigado supports pedagogical innovation with practical resources, offers adaptable materials for different educational contexts, and promotes continuous professional development through events and an active community of educators.
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Click to visit the website:
COMMUNICATION
SplashLab’s communication efforts were born from a clear intention: to take the project beyond institutional circles and bring it into the heart of the Fuseta community. Although several educational, cultural, and community organizations have been fundamental contributors from the start, our true challenge lay in the streets. We wanted SplashLab to be part of the town’s daily conversation, overcoming that invisible barrier where the local population — absorbed by their routines and the obligations that dictate their pace — tends to see these initiatives as just “school stuff” that adds little to the daily lives of those who live and work there.
More than just being accepted, the goal was to avoid the label of being "just another project" designed to satisfy the calendar of a distant organization. We knew the town trusts the school, but we wanted to demonstrate that SplashLab was not just a closed academic exercise for students; it was an initiative by and for Fuseta.
Our communication, therefore, sought to strip away formalisms so that people would feel this project belongs to them—transforming what could have been seen as a mere “school stamp” into a local identity that makes sense within the life and the territory of the town itself.​​
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In the beginning, we invested mainly in producing more formal films and clips, seeking to elevate the quality of our visual discourse and give SplashLab a polished and consistent image. However, we quickly realized that this approach was not producing the desired impact.
We readjusted our course. To reach our goal, we had to enter the path where, for better or worse, communication is prioritized today: social media. We shortened our videos, opted for more direct and dynamic filming, took risks with bolder angles, put the camera in the students' hands, and embraced vertical compositions.
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It was a learning moment and, in doing so, we managed to reach more people.
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To those from here.
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To those from there.
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To those who matter.
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AND NOW?
The actions and resources achieved through SplashLab played a decisive role and left a clear mark on the school. The experiences lived will continue to be remembered for the impact they had, especially on the students who participated in them. More important than the moments shared or the materials acquired was the lasting experience. An experience that contributed decisively to building the identity of Escola Dr. João Lúcio — a school that may not be recognized for its size, but will undoubtedly be recognized for the path forged here.
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With the Blue School (Escola Azul) as a starting point, SplashLab created the conditions for an impact that will extend beyond its formal conclusion. This impact made it possible for the work to continue and paved the way for new collaborations and projects now taking shape, such as LIXARTE, in coordination with Europe Direct Algarve, and GERAt, with Turismo de Portugal. Other partnerships are also being established with the goal of consolidating and strengthening the path already started.
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SplashLab ends as a project but remains as the foundation for work that continues...
