For the children (and some young people) of Alte and Benafim, the World Oceans Day, which was celebrated this Thursday, June 8, was at least different. At Zoomarine, in addition to watching the traditional dolphin show, they joined in a lively flashmob, in shades of blue, and even had the right to see the exposition of marine garbage sculptures, made by them.
The celebrations brought together the EB1 School of Alte, the EB1 School of Benafim, the Professional School Cândido Guerreiro, of Alte, but also the Education Center of Alte… in a true “Oceano para te Quero”.
The goal? Giving everyone a «special day», explained João Neves, coordinator of the Educational Department of the Zoomarine ao Sul Informação.
«For us it's more of the same, because this is our day-to-day mission, but for them it's special, because they get involved in the message», he added. And this message is just one: to draw attention to the need to protect the oceans.
As such, students from these schools also watched films on the subject and even learned, during the Show of dolphins, issues related to this species.
Vera Semedo, a student on the Tourism course at the Professional School Cândido Guerreiro, is an example of how the day combined fun and knowledge. Face painted, ready for the flashmob, she said: «I already knew some of the problems, but I was very sensitive to the issue of sharks».
As for the junction between older and younger students, in the flashmob, Vera said that «everything went well». «They [the younger ones] learned easily!», She added, smiling.
While everyone danced to the tune of Don't Stop Believin', from the band Journey, there were dozens of Zoomarine visitors who stopped to watch. And children, young people and even some adults in action raised their arms and clapped their hands to the rhythm of the music.
Ana Paula Lopes, from Europe Direct Center, from the Coordination and Regional Development Commission (CCDR) of the Algarve, the entity that promoted this initiative, also danced, and explained to the Sul Informação that one of the objectives of the celebrations of the Day of the Oceans is “to alert for the protection of the life of the sea”.
This is also why there are other activities, such as a mural with works and drawings by these students, or a proposal for everyone who visits the Algarve theme park: «build a origami, in the shape of a dove of peace, which will then be placed at the top of this mural», explains Ana Paula Lopes.
And without forgetting, yet, the exhibition of marine litter sculptures, which is already visible at the entrance to Zoomarine's “Oceanus”..
To design these works of art, objects that pollute the sea were used, such as plastic bags and bottles, but also recyclable materials. One of the works that stands out the most is “Onda Mágica”, made by students from the B class of EB1 in Alte (between 8 and 10 years old), as it interweaves plastic bottles and wire.
The truth is that even the youngest – from the Education Center in the village of Alte, aged between 4 and 6 years old – prepared a sculpture. «With some help», said Fernanda Maio, director of that educational establishment.
«They are super excited! As soon as they saw their sculpture, they immediately said “look, we made it” », he told the Sul Informação. All of this makes the children “super excited”, guaranteed the director.
Little Diogo Maio proved it. With a cap on his head, sparing in words, but very smiling, he promptly chose what he liked most about his visit to Zoomarine: «the rays».
This different day, spent not next to a real ocean, but always with it as a backdrop, had the support of Associação Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA) and Centro Ciência Viva do Algarve.
Photos: Ana Madeira | Sul Informação
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