The sea is not a barrel

 https://os-sradica-metkovic.skole.hr/more-nije-bacva-za-otpad/

Activities of the ERASMUS + project Artistic Journey to Green Future 

As part of the ERASMUS + project Artistic Journey to a Green Future,  the Stjepan Radić Elementary School in Metković was hosted by LTT Croatia from April 27 to May 1, 2026. The 6th grade students, together with the nature teacher Vesna Pavlović, presented their activities related to the topic The Sea is Not a Waste Bin to the participants of the lesson from partner schools and institutions.

In the introductory part of the lesson, a brainstorming session was held on the topic: The Sea, where students presented concepts and thoughts related to the importance and beauty of the sea, biodiversity and the benefits of the sea. After that, a presentation was shown: The Sea is not a waste bin. This introductory part encouraged all participants to actively participate and was an excellent introduction, after which the students were divided into 4 groups, solving thematic worksheets related to marine protection, microplastics, recycling and preserving the sea from pollution.

The educational panel with a presentation of the decomposition time of waste in the sea attracted the special attention of all participants. It displayed data on the decomposition time of glass, plastic, aluminum cans, plastic bags, wood, Styrofoam and other materials. By comparing the time required for the decomposition of individual types of waste, the students became aware of the long-term consequences of irresponsibly discarded waste on the marine environment, and how important sorting and recycling are.   

Special emphasis was placed on the harmful effects of waste on marine organisms. Plastic waste and microplastics endanger fish, sea turtles, dolphins, birds and other animals that often mistake waste for food or get entangled in it. By solving the worksheet, the students became aware of the consequences that can be injuries, suffocation, starvation and death of animals. They noticed how small plastic particles enter the food chain, which not only endangers marine life but also human health, which is an increasingly important problem today.

The workshop enabled students to learn through exploration, collaboration, and creative expression. The students worked together to create an educational display with photographs, drawings, ecological messages, and illustrations of the marine world, developing artistic expression and aesthetic sensitivity.  

The students' work was followed with great interest by Erasmus + project participants from Turkey, Spain, Malta and North Macedonia, and the joint discussion encouraged the exchange of ideas and examples of good practice in environmental protection. 

The students' creative work was presented with unique bookmarks made from pressed flowers with motifs of the natural beauties of Croatia. The bookmarks were presented by the students to the participants of the Erasmus + project, which they enthusiastically accepted as a symbol of friendship, cooperation and shared concern for environmental preservation.

This workshop showed that international cooperation, exchange of ideas and joint activities can encourage young people to behave responsibly towards the environment. Students gained new knowledge, developed teamwork and in this way successfully connected ecology, art, cultural heritage and international cooperation.

Written by: nature and biology teacher Vesna Pavlović