WE ARE ACTIVE FOR FUTURE – WareAFF
Project Summary
WE ARE ACTIVE FOR FUTURE – WareAFF aimed to strengthen students’ active citizenship, environmental awareness and understanding of the connection between local water systems and wider aquatic ecosystems. The project focused on the Marzenego, a local resurgence river, helping students explore how human activities at local level can affect other ecosystems, including the ocean, and encouraging responsibility for water protection and sustainability.
Activities
Students took part in citizen-science activities linked to the study of the Marzenego river. They analysed chemical water parameters such as nitrates and phosphates, learned about eutrophication risks, and carried out direct sampling using rapid analysis kits. The project also included peer-to-peer workshops, where high school students specialising in chemistry and biology supported younger students and helped validate field data through laboratory methods.
The project was further expanded through participation in a Water Blitz initiative with the Universities of Bologna and Siena, involving younger primary school students and families and turning the activity into a wider community-based citizen science experience.
Expected outputs
The project generated environmental data collected in the field, which was digitised and published on the international FreshWater Watch platform. This data was used during science and mathematics classes to create graphs, understand statistics, and monitor the health of local resurgence waters.
Students also produced posters, multimedia content using Canva and PowerPoint, brochures, and informative materials to raise awareness about the Oasi di Noale and its role in water phytodepuration. These materials were shared with the local community during the Republic Day celebrations on 2 June.
Impact
The project strengthened students’ soft skills, including initiative, collaboration, and critical thinking, while supporting the vertical development of Civic Education goals across primary, middle, and high school levels. It also helped students develop a stronger sense of belonging to an active local community.
The project involved primary and middle school students, with additional participation from high school classes, other primary school students, university experts, local associations, and families.
The outdoor citizen-science approach also supported inclusion by creating a multisensory, practical learning environment where students with different abilities and backgrounds could contribute meaningfully.
