School on the Beach in Indonesia!!!!

Kids from 1., 2. and 3. grade of SD GMIM Lihunu Elementary School on Bangka Island (which is in NE Sulawesi) found themselves as plastic detectives in a special Saturday school event. They explored beach sand samples for microplastic under the microscope, studied live animals as sea anemones, soft corals, hard corals, clams, worms, crabs, starfish and sea squirts in aquaria, and learned about how plastic is entering the marine foodweb. In an expedition from the school through the village down to the shore the kids had to resolve the case of the clownfish who became ill and eventually died from having eaten too much plastic. At the beach the plastic detectives analyzed the evidence collected by hand and also from pictures taken during the walk, and reflected about their own contribution to the problem of plastic litter in the ocean.

AQUEIS was joined by the Suara Pulau Foundation and CoralEye, who provided aquaria, microscopes and transport. We also thank Mimpi Indah resort for hosting the volunteers and Nomad Divers, Bangka for giving them a ride back. Our biggest „THANK YOU“ goes to the kids that made this day a very special one with their cheering enthusiasm and their dedication. Terima kasih banyak!