VIRTUE was founded in Sweden in the 70s as a national school marine project. VIRTUE-s grew out of this project.

VIRTUE-s (Virtual Interactive Resources and Tools in Universal Education-of the Sea) is focused on developing innovative, digital and practical tools to increase the quality of natural science education, using ocean-based examples. This is a tool that allows students to take initiative and conduct experiments in aquatic environments. The project provides the opportunity to research the work itself, conduct experiments, take measurements in the field, the classroom or the lab, and to interpret and report on the results. What’s more, the methodology is simple and economic: disks for fouling experiments in the water and to see the adhered organisms.

Why VIRTUE-s?

– It is suitable for all ages, from kindergarten to high school, or even adult education. Moreover, it is easy to put into play.

– It can be used in several different school subjects.

– It can help to get in contact with other schools all over Europe.

– Tests can be conducted in both freshwater and in saltwater.

How?

Since 2017, SUBMON is the partner in charge of carrying out MOOC, a series of webinars on the following subjects: introduction to VIRTUE-s and its materials, biofouling and biodiversity, ocean literacy and how to organize practical activities in the classroom to be conducted the following year.

VIRTUE-s has eight partners (five scientific and three school partners) in Sweden, Germany, Spain and the United States. The scientific partners are from the University of Gothenburg, GEOMAR, Hogskolan Vast, University of Maryland Center for Environmental Science and SUBMON. School partners are Öckerö seglande gymnasieskola, Hebbelschule Kiel and Daina-Isard.

For more information: proyectos@submon.org

Webpage: www.virtue-s.eu

Hashtag: #VIRTUESeaProject

Twitter: @VIRTUESea

Funding: Erasmus +