Previously reserved for primary schools in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of France, the “Oceano for All” competition, organised since 2014 by the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco, is expanding its scope. It is now open to secondary schools in Monaco, mainland France, the French overseas territories and departments, and is also open to international and French-speaking countries.
Senegal, in its first participation in this competition, is represented by the Joseph Sonar Ndiaye primary school, located 70 km east of Dakar, the capital of the West African country. This participation is precisely ensured by the pupils of the second year (CM2) of the Joseph Sonar Ndiaye primary school. The state-owned school is one of the 25 schools selected this year, with a total of nearly 600 students.
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Throughout the school year, teams from the Oceanographic Institute will accompany the pupils and their teachers in the discovery of the marine world. This operation aims to raise the ecological awareness of the younger generation through a collective, creative and committed project. “In order for pupils to become true ambassadors for the Ocean and be able to put their projects into practice, we will be offering innovative and interactive tools to help them discover the ocean from all angles: discovering ecosystems and their biodiversity, understanding the role of the Ocean in regulating the climate and analysing the impact of human activities”, explains Tiziana Caporale, Head of the Animation and Education Department at the Oceanographic Institute of Monaco.
On 13 June 2023, at the prize-giving ceremony at the Oceanographic Museum in Monaco, the three winning classes will receive a two-day trip to Monaco and a grant of 5,000 euros for organising activities to raise awareness about the ocean.
Boris Ngounou