Within the ambit of the BlueNights and CORALLO Projects, funded by the Horizon Europe and Interreg Italia-Malta EU Programmes, an innovative, immersive and inclusive (the 3 I’s) ocean literacy event was held at the Esplora interactive science museum.
Around 100 students from the Sacred Heart Minor Seminary in Rabat and from the IOI (International Ocean Institute) Malta Training Centre were welcomed by Staff from the of the of the University of Malta led by .
The event enjoyed the patronage of Environment Minister Miriam Dalli and of Parliamentary Secretary Keith Azzopardi Tanti.
The main objective of the event was to allow students to familiarise themselves with the latest digital tools being deployed by the OMRG group in their promotion of a responsible enjoyment of our seas and of a greater awareness of the protected habitats and species found in our waters. Through the CORALLO and CORALLO +SI projects, which terminated last August and coordinated by Prof. Alan Deidun, the OMRG managed to procure a whole array of mobile digital tools, including humanoid robots, Virtual Reality headsets, holograms, LED banners and 3D models as well as an array of non-mobile features, including interactive panels/kiosks and touch-tables.
These tools have been loaded with Ocean Literacy Outreach Material, including short animation and audio-visual clips, 360-degree footage, quizzes and photos, so as to provide an excellent means of edutainment for students and adults alike.
Some of these features have been donated by the University of Malta to Heritage Malta so as to be displayed permanently at a number of venues, including the Mdina Natural History Museum and the Hagar Qim/Mnajdra Archaeological Park, whilst the ERA are deploying them at the White Tower Bay Centre and at the Dwejra Visitors’ Centre in Gozo.
In addition to these assets, these projects also delivered useful online tools, including a smartphone app which enhances visitors’ experience at some of the Heritage Malta sites and a code of conduct for all marine users so as to promote a correct enjoyment of local Marine Protected Areas (Natura 2000 sites).
The BlueNights Project, in turn, aims to prime different stakeholders, including students, about specific ocean literacy thematics in preparation for the annual European Researchers’ Night held across the EU on Saturday 30 September (equivalent to the local Science in the City flagship event in Valletta).
Further information can be accessed online: and .
The CORALLO project was recognised as example of good practice within the Mediterranean at a recent stakeholder meeting held in Palermo in May 2023 by the BlueMissionMed Forum, having managed to mobilise and to inspire thousands of stakeholders in Malta and in Sicily about the need to protect our seas and its living assets.
Alessio Marrone, Johann Galdies, Henri Ringeard and Rosario Badalamenti from the OMRG also participated in the event.
