Under the Archipelago – Outdoor education on the issue of oxygen depletion
‘Under the Archipelago’ is an educational programme that combines knowledge about the issue of oxygen depletion in the South Funen Archipelago with sailing aboard the classroom ship Fylla – a schooner that is over 100 years old.
On board the 100-year-old schooner, Fylla, secondary school pupils from the municipalities of Svendborg, Faaborg-Midtfyn, Langeland and Ærø carry out seabed scraping and take samples from the seabed. Under sail and with sea spray in their hair, they discover first-hand just how dire the situation is for life on the seabed of the Archipelago.
This educational programme is designed to help young people in and around the South Fyn Archipelago forge a stronger connection with the archipelago itself and is developed in a collaboration between the South Fyn Archipelago UNESCO Global Geopark, the educational ship Fylla and researchers from the ‘Know Your Sea’ project at Aarhus University.
When pupils explore the seabed for themselves, it fosters knowledge and creates a connection between each pupil and their local sea.
At the same time, aboard the wooden sailing ship Fylla, they gain an insight into the maritime cultural heritage that has been a natural part of life around the South Fyn Archipelago for centuries. The content of the programme has been organised by researchers from ‘Know Your Sea’ – an outreach project from Aarhus University focusing on the sea in primary school education.
“As the young people stand holding the lifeless mud from the seabed in their hands, they look at a 100-year-old wooden ship that helped shape Denmark’s trading history under sail. Back then, sustainable methods were an essential prerequisite. This is an important source of inspi-ration to take away with them, when, as a young person, you are faced with the challenges the climate presents now and in the future.” Julie LeerskovShipowner, the schooner Fylla.
‘Under the Archipelago’ is an example of educational work being carried out in partnership with the South Fyn Archipelago UNESCO Global Geopark. By educating and engaging young people in their local natural environment, we are laying solid foundations for the citizens of the future, who can help to develop the area within a sustainable framework.
The ambition is for ‘Under the Archipelago’ to become a permanent feature of the school curriculum across the Geopark, with 40 participating classes per year by 2025.
‘Under the Archipelago’ is supported by the Danish Outdoor Council:
