EMEPC Ocean Literacy Program 2026–2027 School Year
This school year, we're bringing the deep ocean to schools from north to south of the country!
Through the Ocean Literacy Program, EMEPC promotes awareness sessions on the Extension of the Continental Shelf, the ROV LUSO, marine resources, and the biodiversity of deep-sea ecosystems. We want to spark students' curiosity, bring young people closer to science, and introduce them to the technology that allows us to explore the ocean floor.
Activity Model
Activities for schools and teachers
The program includes awareness sessions in schools, with actions planned in the Lisbon/Oeiras region and in different regions of the country, seeking to broaden the territorial reach of ocean literacy initiatives.
📍 Where will we be?
LISBON — November 19, 2026; January 14 and March 1, 2027
OEIRAS — January 11 and 18, and February 15, 2027
SETÚBAL — January 20–22, 2027
NORTHERN REGION — February 24–26, 2027
ALGARVE — March 17–19, 2027
CENTRAL REGION — April 7–9, 2027
Visits to EMEPC and the ROV Luso
The ROV Luso’s campaign schedule for 2026/2027 is fully booked, with only brief periods at EMEPC headquarters, primarily dedicated to maintenance. Therefore, there will be no study visits to the facilities to learn about the ROV Luso. This high level of activity reflects the ROV Luso’s fundamental role in supporting scientific research campaigns and projects, contributing to the advancement of knowledge about the deep ocean.
For Universities and the Scientific Community
EMEPC is also available to collaborate with universities and institutions of higher education through in-person or online sessions for undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students, as well as to participate in congresses, conferences, and other science outreach events.
🎓 We also train teachers!
EMEPC is offering the accredited training program “Portugal is the Sea – The Extension of the Portuguese Continental Shelf,” a four-hour course designed for teachers at all educational levels who are interested in deepening their knowledge of the national maritime territory and the Continental Shelf Extension project, as well as in exploring new ways to address the ocean in an educational context. This training program is endorsed by the United Nations Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development 2021–2030.
Strategic Objectives:
- Strengthen EMEPC’s presence in schools in regions outside Lisbon.
- Promote knowledge about the continental shelf, marine resources, and deep-sea ecosystems.
- Optimize human and financial resources, maximizing the effectiveness of travel.
- Invest in teacher training
How do I schedule an activity?
To request an awareness session or lecture, send an email to geral@emepc.gov.pt, including the following information:
The type of activity you’d like,
Desired date and time,
School or institution,
Students’ grade level,
Number of participants,
Contact information for the teacher in charge: email and cell phone number.
Requests will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, and their fulfillment is subject to EMEPC’s availability.
ACTIVITIES DESCRIPTION
Activitie 1: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: geral@emepc.gov.pt
Telephone: 218732550
Blue School Privilege: Priority Access
Activitie 2: 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: geral@emepc.gov.pt
Telephone: 218732550
Blue School Privilege: Priority Access
Activitie 3: 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: geral@emepc.gov.pt
Telephone: 218732550
Blue School Privilege: Priority Access
Activitie 4: 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: geral@emepc.gov.pt
Telephone: 218732550
Blue School Privilege: Priority Access
Activitie 5: 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: 2 hours
Cost of action (if applicable): Free
Email: geral@emepc.gov.pt
Telephone: 218732550
Blue School Privilege: Priority Access
Autonomous game for schools in PT HERE
Activity 6 - Teacher Training: Portugal is the Sea – The Extent of the Portuguese Continental Shelf
An accredited training program for teachers on the extent of the Portuguese continental shelf, covering the extension project, its strategic importance for Portugal, the submission process, the new Map of Portugal, and the potential of the national maritime territory. The training aims to deepen knowledge and provide tools for addressing this topic in an educational context.
For whom: Teachers at all educational levels
Number of participants per session: Between 20 and 35
Where: At the school, according to the schedule at the top of the page or as proposed by the school.
Duration: 4 hours
Cost: Free
Email: geral@emepc.gov.pt
Phone: 218 732 550
Escola Azul Benefit: Priority Access