The “Living Water” Workshop is a playful and educational immersion designed to introduce young audiences to the secrets of the marine microbiome. More than just a lesson, it’s an interactive experience where every child becomes an active participant in science, explores plankton, and gains awareness of the crucial importance of oceans for our planet.
Learning by doing
Designed specifically for schools, the “Living Water” workshop is built on an active scientific approach. We spark children’s curiosity by challenging their initial assumptions, before guiding them step by step through a genuine naturalist investigation.
How the workshop unfolds
Step 1: Initial questioning and sample collection
The adventure begins with a lively discussion with the students: what is plankton? Where does it live? What does it look like? After gauging their existing knowledge, it’s time for hands-on practice! If the site allows for it, children take part in a plankton fishing session using a vertical net. This is the perfect opportunity to explain how this scientific tool works and demonstrate its use.
Step 2: Back in the classroom & theoretical exploration
Back in the classroom, the workshop continues with a fascinating exploration of the different classes of plankton. Together, we cover the major roles this microbiome plays in the global ecosystem, as well as the current environmental threats limiting its development.
Step 3: High-definition observation and hands-on practice
Equipped with the kit, students learn to handle the Curiosity microscope. They move from theory to practice by observing real samples. Using the built-in identification sheets, they try their hand at taxonomy, learning to recognize and name the species before their eyes. A true observation session that turns the classroom into a research lab.
Step 4: Creative expression, taxonomy, and wrap-up
To reinforce learning through sensory and artistic engagement, children can extend the experience using the tools provided in our kit:
- Plankton ink stamps to illustrate their logbooks.
- A naturalist drawing session inspired by wooden plankton models of varying sizes, helping them better grasp the real scale relationships between species.
The workshop concludes with a collaborative summary where students share their discoveries and consolidate what they’ve seen and learned.
Why choose the “Living Water” Workshop?
• A hands-on approach: children aren’t spectators , they handle, question, and experiment for themselves.
• Innovative tools: use of the Curiosity microscope and specially adapted wooden naturalist equipment.
• Environmental awareness: a strong, concrete message about the importance of the marine microbiome in the face of climate challenges.
• All-in-one: a complete kit including identification sheets, stamps, and scale measurement tools.
Would you like to give your students a unique introduction to oceanography and marine ecology? Contact us to schedule the Living Water workshop at your institution!
