From shoreline to classroom
Mallorca’s northeastern coast glimmers in the early morning light as 16-year-old Margalida Martorell surveys the soft, white sands of her hometown, Alcúdia. Despite the picturesque setting, stray crisp packets and plastic debris hint at a growing reality: even postcard-perfect shores are not immune to mounting marine pollution.
“Bon dia, Margalida! We’re ready to help!” calls an enthusiastic volunteer, waving a large litter bag in greeting. Around two dozen people, decked out in trainers and running gear, gather eagerly around. Margalida checks the time on her phone and smiles. “Hola. D’acord, anem!” she calls out, repeating in English for anyone who needs it: “Okay, let’s go.” With that, the group spreads out along the shoreline, jogging and picking up trash as they move. “As residents of a tourist destination like Mallorca, maintaining clean beaches matters both for our own well-being and for visitors,” says Margalida, holding up an old soda can half-buried in the sand. “A beautiful, litter-free beach is a treasure everyone can appreciate.”
For the past year, Margalida and her two friends from IES Port d’Alcúdia have spearheaded ‘Eco Plogg’, a community-led effort that combines jogging and trash collection–known globally as ‘plogging’. Originated in Sweden in 2016, plogging encourages volunteers to stay active while protecting local environments.
“When we started this project, our main goal was to clean up our town by involving the community in outdoor activities that promote fitness,” Margalida explains.
According to the National CleanUp Day website, an estimated two million people plog daily in 100 countries, with some events drawing over three million participants. Margalida laughs when she hears this figure. “I guess we have a smaller group, but it was amazing when 46 people turned out for the very first Eco Plogg run,” she says.
Thanks to social media, word of mouth, and local support, Eco Plogg’s growing success caught the attention of Alcúdia’s council, regional television stations, and UNESCO’s Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (UNESCO-IOC). In recognition of their work, the initiative was invited to join the Blue Schools Global Network– an integrated effort by IOC and the European Commission to promote ocean literacy and environmental responsibility. “We’re proud of our beaches, and it’s our responsibility to protect them,” says Margalida. “The Blue Schools Global Network gives us the tools and connections to do just that.”
The concept of ocean literacy – understanding the ocean’s influence on us and our influence on the ocean – has gained momentum as communities worldwide grapple with marine pollution, overfishing, and climate change. Despite covering 71% of our planet, the ocean remains largely absent from most national curricula, leaving many students aged 4 to 18 with minimal exposure to marine science.

“Ocean-related topics are mostly squeezed into social science, citizenship, or PE classes, with minimal representation in the sciences,” notes Dr. Francesca Santoro, Senior Programme Officer leading UNESCO-IOC’s Ocean Literacy programme. “Achieving full scientific literacy demands ocean literacy.”
Through experiential learning and collaborative projects, UNESCO-IOC supports the Blue Schools Global Network as a platform that unites schools worldwide. Teachers, students, and local organisations share strategies for weaving ocean issues into formal education. This knowledge sharing empowers students to engage in hands-on projects that benefit both their learning and their communities. “We are equipping students with the tools and knowledge needed to emerge as informed decision-makers and leaders,” says Santoro. “We are ensuring that future generations possess a profound understanding of the challenges confronting our ocean, along with the necessary steps to address them.”
Blue Schools in Action: Argentina
Educators hold the real power to unlock ocean literacy in the classroom – but it’s not always smooth sailing. Underfunded programs, lack of training, and curriculum pressure from standardised tests can make it tough for teachers to include marine topics. Schools located far from the coast often struggle to see the value of lessons on ocean science.
Yet in Argentina, Giselle Romano Fontanals is proving these obstacles can be overcome. A science teacher and head of environmental projects at the Luis A. Huergo Industrial Institute in Buenos Aires, Giselle is championing ocean awareness through the Blue Schools initiative – despite her city’s distance from open waters.
“In September 2023, representatives from the Blue Schools of the South Atlantic visited us and led an incredible class for our students and teachers,” Giselle recalls. “Once we learned about this wonderful programme, we had to get involved. We started generating ideas for ocean-related projects, even though we’re closer to the Río de la Plata than the sea – and that’s when the inspiration really kicked in.”
The Río de la Plata, a massive estuary between Argentina and Uruguay, connects the Paraná and Uruguay rivers to the Atlantic, making it an ideal launchpad for local marine research. With guidance from the Blue Schools Global Network, Giselle’s students have been analysing how temperature variations affect the estuary’s water mass, along with its physical, chemical, and biological traits.

“We uncovered issues concerning water quality and biodiversity,” she explains. “It wasn’t just a classroom exercise – our data contributed real insights to the broader science community. Ultimately, I hope the Blue Schools initiative inspires more teachers to embrace ocean literacy, partner on social impact projects, and motivate students long after they graduate.”
This hands-on approach continues to catch on beyond Argentina’s borders, earning the support of grassroots leaders and government ministers alike.
Angola: National Policy Meets Classroom Impact
In Angola, Carmen Santos, the Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, champions the Blue Schools Global Network as a transformative force in maritime education.
“It’s more than just an initiative,” she says. “It’s an integrated learning approach, combining knowledge, practical skills, and application to develop essential capacities in our society. As the saying goes, knowledge doesn’t take up space – it empowers growth.”
Angola’s coastline teems with zooplankton, fish, seabirds, and marine mammals, while also harbouring significant oil and gas reserves. These natural riches are vital for the nation’s protein supply, employment, and foreign income; indeed, Angola ranks among Africa’s leading oil producers and exporters. Yet Santos understands that long-term prosperity depends on balancing economic interests with environmental responsibility.
To achieve that balance, the government has laid out a National Strategy for the Sea, along with a Marine Spatial Planning framework, each emphasising scientific research and conservation.
“Our 2050 Long-Term Strategy envisions a resilient ocean that bolsters Angola’s economy and safeguards sustainability,” Santos explains. “The blue economy – and Blue Schools – are central to this vision, instilling environmental stewardship from a young age. Ultimately, a deep knowledge of the ocean is fundamental. Higher education and public policy must unite so Angola can stand strong in the region and beyond.”
Angola’s early success with the Blue Schools Network has attracted interest from neighbouring African countries, spurring greater collaboration. During a recent visit to Cape Verde, Minister Santos took part in a bay cleanup that removed an astonishing 700 kilogrammes of trash – ranging from plastic and crustacean cages to tourist bags and batteries. Her trip also included a conversation with Cape Verde’s president, who shares her enthusiasm for extending the Blue Schools initiative.
Now encompassing more than 1,200 schools in over 20 countries, including Canada, Honduras, Ireland, Turkey, and South Africa, the network’s influence keeps growing. “This demonstrates the potential for expanded cooperation among nations,” Santos observes. “We’re working to bring this message to international forums and demystify ocean literacy throughout our country and in all communities. There’s a long journey ahead, but each step strengthens us.”


Returning to Mallorca: A Student’s Perspective
Even as Angola leads by example on the policy front, Margalida in Mallorca sees the power of Blue Schools from a different angle – on the ground with local volunteers.
“Nothing can stop you from making a positive impact,” she says, nodding toward a group of flushed-face joggers, bin bags stuffed with rubbish. “The Blue Schools Global Network proves how many schools and individuals care about our environment. It’s so inspiring.”
Motivated by EcoPlogg’s success and fired up by the network’s broader impact, Margalida and her classmates at IES Port d’Alcúdia are now focused on preserving their local marine life. Their new citizen science project, MarINe Side, aims to protect local marine life by tracking animal populations, seasonal shifts, and underwater noise, all through hydrophones planted along the shore.
“What’s been particularly nice is the bond forged with my EcoPlogg team members and my teacher Antonia,” Margalida reflects. “We started not fully grasping the issues at hand, but as time passed, our shared learning experiences have brought us closer together. We’ve become like a small family. It reminds us that by working together, we can drive change and create a brighter future for all, but it’s important to remember that progress takes time; even if our efforts aren’t immediately recognised, the world will appreciate them eventually.”
This dual vision – Angola’s strategic national policy and Mallorca’s grassroots activism – captures the very essence of the Blue Schools Global Network. From shoreline to classroom, individuals and governments are united by a shared commitment to safeguard the ocean’s vitality, ensuring that its life-giving waters continue to inspire, sustain, and connect us all.
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