syllabus aegan sea

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  • Curriculum Title: Exploring the Deep Sea – Dimlight habitats of the Aegean Sea (Greece)
    Target Audience: 12–16-year-old students 
    Duration: 4 Lessons (each 45–60 minutes) 
    • 15–20 minutes e-learning content + online assessment 
    • 30–45 minutes optional classroom/offline activity (Lessons 1–3) 
    • 30–45 minutes BIIGLE Party Image Tagging Challenge (Lesson 4) 
    Cooperating Marine Researcher: Dr. Tim Grandjean, Anastasia Miliou 
    Location: Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation (Samos, Greece)

  • In the depths of the Greek Seas, throughout the dimly lit mesophotic zone (between 50 to 120 meters), lie the oldest, most complex, and productive marine ecosystems. These unique and rare habitats are crucial biodiversity hotspots but are the most vulnerable marine ecosystems due to human activities such as bottom trawling, pollution, and climate change. This course will take students on an exploration of these fascinating habitats, the threats they face, and the cutting-edge research methods used to map and protect them. 

  • Lesson 1: Discovering dimlight Habitats

    • Define dimlight habitats and their ecological role.

    • Identify different dimlight habitats found in Greece.

    • Explain why these habitats are important for biodiversity.

    Lesson 2: Shadows of destruction

    • Identify major threats to dimlight habitats (e.g., trawling, climate change, plastics).

    • Understand the consequences of these threats on marine biodiversity.

    • Learn about research methods used to monitor human impact. 

    Lesson 3: Guardians of the deep

    • Explore conservation efforts and protected areas in the Aegean Sea.

    • Analyze the effectiveness of existing protection measures.

    • Discuss whether enough is being done or if further action is needed.

    Lesson 4: Eyes beneath the waves

    • Learn how to use BIIGLE Party for benthic habitat analysis.

    • Identify species, plastics, and other objects in research data.

    • Contribute to ongoing research projects through citizen science initiatives.

  • Lesson 1: Discovering dimlight habitats

    • Definition and distribution of dimlight habitats

    • Why are dimlight habitats important?

    • How can we explore mesobenthic habitats?

    • E-learning course assesment (MP questions, fill the gap)

    Lesson 2: Shadows of destruction

    • Major threats of dimlight habitats

    • Consequences of habitat degradation

    • Can we monitor the impact of humans?

    • E-learning course assesment (MP questions, fill the gap)

    Lesson 3: Guardians of the deep

    • What measures are to be taken?

    • Are current measures enough?

    • How can we improve protection?

    • E-learning course assesment (MP questions, fill the gap)

    Lesson 4: Eyes beneath the waves

    • What can you contribute to protect the Aegan dimlight habitats?

    • What is the difference between conventional destructive monitoring techniques and ROV monitoring?

    • Which species are of key interest for researchers to monitor the habitats?

    • How to observe human impact below water?

    • How to use BIIGLE?

  • Lesson 1 

    1.       Think-Pair-Share
    Students discuss the importance of those habitats for their island / coastline in small groups per topic (e.g. carbon, fish, life), and pitch per group in the class why the habitat is so important (± 30 min).

    Extra material: Documentary viewing
    Documentary about dimlight / coralligenous habitats from the Pure Ocean / Under the Pole expedition in Fourni. English version will be provided.

    Lesson 2

    1.       Dimlight Fresk
    A collaborative workshop where students connect cause-and-effect relationships of dimlight habitat threats and conservation. Encourages problem-solving and group discussions on marine protection.

    2.       Class debate
    “Should bottom trawling be banned everywhere?”
    “Should we or do you already eat invasive species?”

    Lesson 3

    1.       Create an MPA around your island
    Students role-play as scientists & policymakers to create a law to protect the benthic habitats around their island. They will design on a map, the new protected area around their own island and design zones with different purposes.

    Extra activity: Invite or visit small-scale fishermen
    Inviting a fisherman to the school is always a meaningful way, to create awareness among the schoolkids. Many fishermen are often interested to do so for an interactive chat.

    Lesson 4 

    • BIIGLE Challenge: species tagging competition 

  • Students reflect on what they have learned and how they can help to protect the ocean.


    Questions to discuss or do some reading about:

    1.       Is the current level of protection in Greece sufficient?

    2.       What would happen if we don’t enforce the protection of dimlight habitats?

    3.       What can we do as community to protect our nearby seas?

    4.       Can we reduce our own impact on the habitats?

    5.       What kind of sea do you envision in 2050?

    • Writing a policy brief to the major / minister.

    • Writing a personal reflection on “Why should we care about dimlight habitats?”

    • Design a poster explaining dimlight habitats and its threats.

    • A multiple-choice test.

  • • Formative quizzes (e-learning platform) 
    • Participation in class activities and discussions 
    • Reflective writing and creative projects 
    • BIIGLE tagging accuracy and engagement 

  • The course is designed to be inclusive and accessible: 
    • Subtitled videos and text transcripts available 
    • Visual, auditory, and kinesthetic learning pathways 
    • Flexible assessment options: oral, visual, or written 
    • Adaptive tech support for students with mobility or processing needs