First workshop of the "Blue Sustainability" project: The Sea Restaurant in Betina
- 12. 8. 2026.
- 10:59
What is life like beneath the sea's surface? What happens when plastic ends up in the ocean or when we overfish? It was these very questions that children sought answers to through the educational workshop "Sea Restaurant: Guardians of the Marine World," conducted as part of the "Blue Sustainability" project, led by the Betinska Gajeta 1740 Association.
The workshop introduced children to the richness of the marine world, as well as the challenges that marine ecosystems face today, through play, movement, simulation, and creative work.
At the start of the workshop, the children chose sea animals to represent during the activities. In our "sea restaurant," we had fish, octopuses, crabs, sea turtles, and other marine creatures. Through play, the children learned about different organisms and began to think about how they are all interconnected.
A special part of the workshop was the simulation game "Ocean Restaurant," in which the table represented the marine ecosystem. By gradually introducing different threats, the children could see how changes in the environment affect the entire marine world.
First, waste arrived in the "sea." Plastic bottles, caps, and various pieces of packaging showed how much waste can alter the living space of marine organisms. We discussed what happens when animals ingest plastic or become entangled in debris, and how pollution can threaten life in the sea.
Then we addressed overfishing. By removing a large number of "fish" from our ecosystem, the children could see what happens when we take more from the sea than nature can replenish. We connected this part of the workshop to traditional fishing and the sustainable use of marine resources. We discussed why it's important to leave enough fish to reproduce and for future generations, and how people can use the sea while also protecting it.
After seeing through the simulation what the sea looks like when certain organisms gradually disappear from it, the creative part of the workshop followed. The children used recycled materials to create their own messages and posters for ocean protection. They reflected on what kind of ocean they want to leave for future generations and how each of us can contribute to its preservation through our everyday actions.
We concluded the workshop with a discussion about what they had learned, but also with the question: "What can I do for the sea?" From reducing the use of single-use plastic and properly disposing of waste to behaving responsibly toward nature – the children recognized that protecting the sea is not just the job of scientists, fishermen, or institutions. It also begins with our everyday choices.
Through this workshop, we wanted to introduce children to the importance of marine biodiversity, the responsible use of marine resources, and the conservation of the marine environment in a way that is relatable, understandable, and fun. Because when we get to know the sea, it's easier to love it—and when we love it, we'll want to protect it.
The "Blue Sustainability" project is co-financed by the European Union.
The workshop introduced children to the richness of the marine world, as well as the challenges that marine ecosystems face today, through play, movement, simulation, and creative work.
At the start of the workshop, the children chose sea animals to represent during the activities. In our "sea restaurant," we had fish, octopuses, crabs, sea turtles, and other marine creatures. Through play, the children learned about different organisms and began to think about how they are all interconnected.
A special part of the workshop was the simulation game "Ocean Restaurant," in which the table represented the marine ecosystem. By gradually introducing different threats, the children could see how changes in the environment affect the entire marine world.
First, waste arrived in the "sea." Plastic bottles, caps, and various pieces of packaging showed how much waste can alter the living space of marine organisms. We discussed what happens when animals ingest plastic or become entangled in debris, and how pollution can threaten life in the sea.
Then we addressed overfishing. By removing a large number of "fish" from our ecosystem, the children could see what happens when we take more from the sea than nature can replenish. We connected this part of the workshop to traditional fishing and the sustainable use of marine resources. We discussed why it's important to leave enough fish to reproduce and for future generations, and how people can use the sea while also protecting it.
After seeing through the simulation what the sea looks like when certain organisms gradually disappear from it, the creative part of the workshop followed. The children used recycled materials to create their own messages and posters for ocean protection. They reflected on what kind of ocean they want to leave for future generations and how each of us can contribute to its preservation through our everyday actions.
We concluded the workshop with a discussion about what they had learned, but also with the question: "What can I do for the sea?" From reducing the use of single-use plastic and properly disposing of waste to behaving responsibly toward nature – the children recognized that protecting the sea is not just the job of scientists, fishermen, or institutions. It also begins with our everyday choices.
Through this workshop, we wanted to introduce children to the importance of marine biodiversity, the responsible use of marine resources, and the conservation of the marine environment in a way that is relatable, understandable, and fun. Because when we get to know the sea, it's easier to love it—and when we love it, we'll want to protect it.
The "Blue Sustainability" project is co-financed by the European Union.
