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ACTIVITIES YEAR 2025/26
Ocean literacy plays a key role in EMEPC's mission by promoting knowledge and changing attitudes about the ocean among younger generations and society. Given that it operates unique technological resources in Portugal for deep-sea exploration, notably the ROV Luso, EMEPC encourages future generations to engage with this type of equipment.
We conduct online activities, in-person sessions at school, and at EMEPC, for teachers and student groups as described below:
Strategic Objectives:
- Strengthen EMEPC's presence in schools in regions outside Lisbon.
- Promote knowledge about the continental shelf, marine resources and deep-sea ecosystems.
- Optimise human and financial resources, maximising travel efficiency.
- Invest in Teacher Training
Activity Model:
A. Awareness-raising sessions at EMEPC: ROV visits – Based on the planned ROV campaign calendar, visits will be offered to university students in the second half of October and in late May/June, depending on the ROV's availability at EMEPC facilities. A longer visiting schedule may be possible if the ROV is not used in any of the currently planned campaigns.
Exclusive dates for university audiences:
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October 15, 16, 17, 22
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May 27, 28, 29
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June 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25, and 26
B. Awareness-raising sessions in schools:
Special Dates: Lisbon Metropolitan Area (at school), and other areas (online) - Open for registration on the following days:
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November 17 (in celebration of National Sea Day, which takes place on the previous Sunday),
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May 19 (Blue School Day),
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May 20 (European Sea Day)
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June 8 (United Nations World Oceans Day),
University students: In-person or online university students, upon request without predefined dates,
Secondary school students: In-person or online middle school and high school students, open for registration upon request at the following locations/dates:
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Lisbon area - December 4 and 5 and February 12, 2026
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Figueira da Foz area: January 14-16, 2026
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Oeiras/Cascais area - February 19-20 and March 5, 2026
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Setúbal area: March 12, 13, and 20, 2026
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Porto area: February 25 to 27, 2026
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Algarve area: May 6 to 8, 2026
C. Teacher training:
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An accredited teacher training is being prepared, more details will be provided soon.
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This training will take place on Saturdays (or after work hours) in various areas of the country (Porto, Figueira da Foz, Setúbal, Algarve, Lisbon)
Requests should be sent by email to geral@emepc.gov.pt
ACTIVITY DESCRIPTION
The new dimension of our country - Extension of the Continental Shelf
Talk for students about the Extension of the Portuguese Continental Shelf, its importance for the Portuguese, the course of the process, the new Map of Portugal and the existing resources. The session, when held at EMEPC's headquarters, may be accompanied by a visit to the Luso ROV, a robot that dives to a depth of 6000m.
For whom: 2nd, 3rd Cycle, Secondary
Number of participants per action: Variable
Where: School and Online
Duration: 1 hour
Cost of action (if applicable): Free
Email: Mónica Albuquerque - geral@emepc.gov.pt
Telephone: Mónica Albuquerque - 218732550
Blue School Privilege: Priority Access
Rov Luso Discovering the Deep Sea
A talk for students about the Rov Luso, the remotely operated vehicle that dives to depths of 6000m and collects samples for the Continental Shelf Extension project. Let's talk about what is an ROV? What about an ROV pilot? How deep does it go down? What mysteries are discovered at the bottom of the sea? Dive with us to discover more. The Luso ROV, its characteristics and potentialities. Campaigns carried out and the different environments explored by ROV Luso. It may include a visit to ROV Luso at EMEPC's headquarters in Paço de Arcos.
For whom: 2nd, 3rd Cycle, Secondary
Number of participants per action: Variable
Where: School and Online
Duration: 1 hour
Cost of action (if applicable): Free
Email: Mónica Albuquerque - geral@emepc.gov.pt
Telephone: Mónica Albuquerque - 218732550
Blue School Privilege: Priority Access
Marine Mineral Resources
Talk for students about marine resources on the continental shelf extension. The non-living resources of the seabed will in the future be a source of resources as an alternative to exploiting them on land. As resource scarcity increases in continental areas and as exploration and extraction technology progresses, the exploitation of mineral, energy resources (including methane hydrates) on the large seabed is becoming increasingly feasible. Many of these resources are found on the continental shelves and in their extension zones, making these areas of soil and subsoil a new asset for the coastal state. The scientific exploration of the national seabed is still limited and it is poorly characterized. However, the data and knowledge obtained over the years, through scientific research campaigns and in the dedicated cruises of the Extension Project, allow us to anticipate a vast potential for the different resources existing in the continental shelf of Portugal. Let's talk about the resources of the Portuguese continental shelf, what are their potentials, needs and opportunities.
For whom: 3rd Cycle, Secondary
Number of participants per action: Variable
Where: School and Online
Duration: 1 hour
Cost of action (if applicable): Free
Email: Mónica Albuquerque - geral@emepc.gov.pt
Telephone: Mónica Albuquerque - 218732550
Blue School Privilege: Priority Access
Deep Sea Communities and Marine Resources
Lecture for students about the deep sea communities and the Marine Living Resources in the Sea of Portugal. During the campaigns of the Extension Project and other projects, EMEPC gathered a collection with a significant number of samples comprising fauna, water samples and sediments mostly collected at great ocean depths (depths greater than 1500 m). This collection has been enhanced in academic studies on biodiversity and genetic resources. However, there is still a long way to go before applications can be developed within the framework of the so-called “blue biotechnology”. The lecture will focus on the Biodiversity in the communities living in the Sea of Portugal, as well as their living resources, their importance and what is their use.
For whom: 3rd Cycle, Secondary
Number of participants per action: Variable
Where: School and Online
Duration: 1 hour
Cost of action (if applicable): Free
Email: Mónica Albuquerque - geral@emepc.gov.pt
Telephone: Mónica Albuquerque - 218732550
Blue School Privilege: Priority Access
Let's Explore the Seabed
In addition to sand, fish and sunken ships, the Portuguese sea hides many other treasures. But many kilometers deep and in the most absolute darkness, there are many challenges that face all who try to explore the deep sea. In this activity, we will understand how to prepare an oceanographic campaign, what equipment we need and who should be part of the work teams. Practical activity using board game materials.
For whom: 3rd Cycle, Secondary
Number of participants per action: Variable
Where: School and Online
Duration: 1 hour
Cost of action (if applicable): Free
Email: Mónica Albuquerque - geral@emepc.gov.pt
Telephone: Mónica Albuquerque - 218732550
Blue School Privilege: Priority Access
Autonomous game for schools in PT HERE