BlueLights | Katarzyna Kwiatek-Grabarska | Activity

World Biodiversity Day – The Gliwice Canal as a Place of Observation On May 22nd, the BlueLightS project group took part in a field research expedition along the Gliwice Canal 🚤💧 The 44 km cruise route led through the Łabędy, Dzierżno, and Pławniowice locks, turning into a unique lesson on water, ecosystems, and biodiversity 🌊🌱 Students had the opportunity to observe the operation of the Łabędy and Dzierżno locks — key infrastructure elements of the Gliwice Canal. They learned how locks allow vessels to overcome water level differences and ensure water transport on the canal. It was also a great opportunity to discuss human impact on the aquatic environment and the vital balance between economy and ecosystem protection ⚓🌍 As part of the project "Blue LightS – Our Gardens Your Oceans – Connecting Local Biodiversity with Global Water Awareness," students conducted physicochemical water testing and nature observations 🔬 During the activities, the students: 🌡️ measured water temperature, ⚗️ determined pH levels, ⚡ analyzed electrical conductivity, 👁️ assessed water clarity using a Secchi disk, and interpreted the measurement results. At the same time, they observed organisms linked to the aquatic ecosystem 🪶🌿 Among others, they spotted: 🪶 the grey heron, 🦆 numerous duck species, 🖤 a cormorant colony. The presence of these species served as a starting point for a discussion on the importance of biodiversity and waterbirds as bioindicators of environmental health. The Gliwice Canal, despite its transport function and heavy human impact, remains an important habitat for many organisms 🌱🐟 Today's expedition proved that learning can happen outside the classroom — through observation, field research, and direct contact with nature 💙🌍

Fri, 29 May 2026 09:13:48 +0100

World Biodiversity Day – The Gliwice Canal as a Place of Observation
On May 22nd, the BlueLightS project group took part in a field research expedition along the Gliwice Canal 🚤💧
The 44 km cruise route led through the Łabędy, Dzierżno, and Pławniowice locks, turning into a unique lesson on water, ecosystems, and biodiversity 🌊🌱

Students had t…Read More

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland Students of II Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Wojciecha Kilara are actively deepening their understanding of the importance of ocean protection through Ocean Literacy education within the BlueLightS project. By connecting classroom learning with real environmental action, they explore how local water systems are linked to global ocean processes and why protecting marine ecosystems is essential for the future of our planet. Within the project “Our Gardens, Your Oceans – Connecting Local Biodiversity with Global Water Awareness”, students engage in interdisciplinary activities focused on water, biodiversity, and climate awareness. They participate in hands-on work in the school garden, implementing Nature-Based Solutions such as rainwater harvesting, drip irrigation, and native species planting. These activities are combined with citizen science observations, where students monitor soil moisture and environmental changes, learning how data can support sustainable decision-making. Ocean Literacy is also integrated into everyday school learning across subjects such as geography, English, and computer science. Students take part in discussions, global awareness campaigns, and international collaboration through eTwinning partnerships, exchanging ideas with peers from other European countries. Through participation in BlueLightS webinars, workshops, and educational events, students and teachers continuously expand their knowledge about oceans, water systems, and sustainability challenges. By combining science, practical action, and international cooperation, students are learning that protecting oceans begins locally — in their own school garden — and that every action in a small ecosystem contributes to the health of the global ocean.

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:57:47 +0100

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland

Students of II Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Wojciecha Kilara are actively deepening their understanding of the importance of ocean protection through Ocean Literacy education within the BlueLightS project. By connecting classroom learning with real environmental action…Read More

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland Ocean and Water Literacy lecture and workshops for teachers Blue Education Workshop III: Educational Resources, BlueLightS. 27 of April I attended third workshop in the BlueLightS Blue Education Framework Workshop Series explores how to design, develop, and scale high-quality educational resources that support Blue Education across formal schooling. The session will focus on how open, accessible, and curriculum-linked materials can enable teachers to integrate river and ocean sustainability into everyday teaching practice — across subjects and levels — while ensuring equity, usability, and long-term impact. Citizen Science as an Educational Tool for Blue Schools: the Case of the MINKA Platform. 30 of April I took part in the webinar “Citizen Science as an Educational Tool for Blue Schools: the Case of the MINKA Platform,” organized within the BlueSchools initiative. The webinar presented how citizen science can support education by actively involving students in real research activities. It introduced the MINKA platform as a tool that allows collecting and sharing environmental data, especially related to aquatic ecosystems. The session highlighted how such activities develop students’ scientific skills, increase their environmental awareness, and encourage engagement in protecting water resources. Water Explorers Talk - webinar - FEE (Foundation for Environmental Education) I attended the Water Explorers Talk featuring Christine Figgener, a marine biologist and internationally recognized science communicator. During the session, Christine shared her firsthand experiences in marine conservation, highlighting the challenges faced by marine wildlife and emphasizing how awareness can lead to meaningful action to protect our oceans. The talk was part of FEE’s Water Explorers campaign, which promotes the protection of oceans and freshwater ecosystems. We also learned about inspiring case studies from the FEE network, showing how communities and young people are actively working to safeguard water environments.

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:33:54 +0100

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland

Ocean and Water Literacy lecture and workshops for teachers

Blue Education Workshop III: Educational Resources, BlueLightS.

27 of April I attended third workshop in the BlueLightS Blue Education Framework Workshop Series explores how to design, develop, and scale hig…Read More

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland 22 of April Earth Day: From Rain to Ocean – Connecting Our Garden to the Ocean 🌍💧🌊 Today we celebrated Earth Day with a focus on how every drop of water connects our local environment with the ocean. Students from class 3d are implementing the BlueLightS project “Our Gardens, Your Oceans – Connecting Local Biodiversity with Global Water Awareness”, funded by the Horizon Europe Programme. At this stage, we are working on adapting our school garden area, originally planned as a wildflower meadow (Ekosfera Dwójki). Based on last year’s observations, we know that this space suffers from very low water availability. That’s why we are installing rainwater tanks and a drip irrigation system – to retain water locally and use it efficiently. A week of soil moisture monitoring with sensors has confirmed how dry the area is. Students are now preparing the ground for irrigation and planting native perennials that will support biodiversity and better adapt to local conditions. Through this project, we learn that what happens in our garden does not stay in our garden – water flows further, shaping ecosystems, rivers, and ultimately the ocean.

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:30:37 +0100

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland

22 of April

Earth Day: From Rain to Ocean – Connecting Our Garden to the Ocean 🌍💧🌊

Today we celebrated Earth Day with a focus on how every drop of water connects our local environment with the ocean. Students from class 3d are implementing the BlueLightS proje…Read More

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland 13.04.2026 we continued our work on the Our Gardens, Your Oceans project as part of the BlueLightS / Blue Challenges initiative. In our school garden Ecosphere, students engaged in hands-on environmental activities combining science and technology: We installed and calibrated Ecowitt soil moisture sensors. We synchronized the sensors with a digital weather station. We observed soil conditions and plant environments. We collected real-time environmental data as part of a citizen science approach. During the session, we explored how local biodiversity and soil conditions are directly connected to global water systems and ocean health. Students discussed the water cycle, water retention, and how everyday actions can influence rivers, seas, and oceans. This practical activity helped us better understand the importance of water and ocean literacy, showing that even small, local actions can contribute to global environmental protection. We are proud to implement this project with the support of a €2000 grant.

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:29:40 +0100

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland

13.04.2026

we continued our work on the Our Gardens, Your Oceans project as part of the BlueLightS / Blue Challenges initiative. In our school garden Ecosphere, students engaged in hands-on environmental activities combining science and technology: We installed and cal…Read More

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland 6th April Ocean Literacy and Earth Day – Learning for a Sustainable Future In connection with the upcoming Earth Day, today’s English lessons in classes 4a, 3d, and 1a were dedicated to the protection of life below water and the development of Ocean Literacy competencies. Ocean Literacy refers to a deep understanding of the relationship between humans and the ocean – both how the ocean influences human life (climate regulation, oxygen production, food supply, ecosystem balance) and how human activity impacts marine environments. In educational terms, these competencies include: 🌊 understanding oceanic and climatic processes, 🌊 awareness of the ocean’s importance for life on Earth, 🌊 recognising environmental threats (pollution, climate change, overexploitation), , 🌊 critical analysis of environmental information, 🌊 readiness to take responsible action to protect the environment. The lesson was conducted using an educational scenario from The World’s Largest Lesson, a global educational initiative linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and supported by organisations such as UNESCO and UNICEF. Its aim is to provide teachers worldwide with ready-made resources that help students understand global challenges and their role in addressing them. During the lesson, students developed Ocean Literacy competencies in practice by analysing environmental issues, using English in the context of real-world global challenges, and reflecting on possible actions to protect the oceans. The development of this knowledge among our high school students is also connected to the implementation of the international BlueLightS project, within which our school received a grant for the project: “Our Gardens, Your Oceans – Connecting Local Biodiversity with Global Water Awareness” The project was selected in the international BlueLightS / BlueChallenges – BlueSchools grant competition and received funding of 2000 EUR, financed by the European Union under the Horizon Europe programme. Its main aim is to develop water and environmental education while supporting activities focused on the protection of water resources and biodiversity. Within the project, students engage in environmental observation, citizen science activities, and educational initiatives that connect local biodiversity with global ocean awareness, fostering responsibility and environmental consciousness on both local and global levels. Beata Dziembała, Katarzyna Kwiatek-Grabarska

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:28:51 +0100

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland

6th April

Ocean Literacy and Earth Day – Learning for a Sustainable Future

In connection with the upcoming Earth Day, today’s English lessons in classes 4a, 3d, and 1a were dedicated to the protection of life below water and the development of Ocean Literac…Read More

World Water Day – Grade 7A/B The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland 23 of March On the occasion of World Water Day 💧🌍, the bilingual Grade 7 students explored the secrets of water and learned vocabulary related to it. These were engaging and inspiring geography lessons 🌎, during which students also discussed responsible use of water resources as well as environmental hazards such as floods.

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:27:52 +0100

World Water Day – Grade 7A/B

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland

23 of March

On the occasion of World Water Day 💧🌍, the bilingual Grade 7 students explored the secrets of water and learned vocabulary related to it.

These were engaging and inspiring geography lessons 🌎, during which students also discu…Read More

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland 23 of March A Special Webinar for World Glacier, Water, and Meteorology Days, II Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Wojciecha Kilara w Zabrzu, Poland March 21–23 are special days for science and our planet 🌍❄️💧 On the occasion of World Glacier Day, World Water Day, and Meteorology Day, students from classes 1a and 3d participated in an inspiring webinar “Glacial Water – Discover Its Superpowers!” as part of the LIQUIDICE project. During the session, Dr. Elżbieta Łepkowska from the University of Silesia explained where water comes from in icy and snowy regions and what happens to it when glaciers begin to melt. We also learned why water flowing from beneath glaciers can be cloudy, what it contains, and what information about climate change scientists can gather from it. It was an extremely interesting lesson showing how polar research helps us better understand Earth's processes and the challenges related to climate change. The event was organized by the Institute of Geophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences. We are grateful for the opportunity to participate in this unique meeting!

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:26:57 +0100

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland

23 of March

A Special Webinar for World Glacier, Water, and Meteorology Days, II Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Wojciecha Kilara w Zabrzu, Poland

March 21–23 are special days for science and our planet 🌍❄️💧 On the occasion of World Glacier Day, World Water Day, and…Read More

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland On May 6th, during EGU2026 GIFT (Geoscience Information for Teachers), I had the honor of presenting the environmental projects carried out by Dwójka students during the poster session. I introduced our school’s key initiatives: 🌱 Ekosfera Dwójki – a sustainable outdoor educational space created by students, supporting biodiversity, environmental education, and practical action for nature. 💙 BlueLights Project – an innovative grant project focused on Ocean Literacy, Water Literacy, environmental challenges, sustainable development, and student-driven solutions. Our “Our Gardens Your Oceans” initiative demonstrates how local ecological actions connect with global responsibility for water and oceans. ♻️ Zero Waste and Urban Mining, Waste Management – an initiative highlighting students’ active involvement in waste segregation, recycling, and responsible resource management. 💚 The greatest interest among teachers and scientists from various countries was sparked not only by the scope of these projects, but above all by the fact that students are their main creators and implementers. Particularly appreciated was that young people: ✔️ independently plan and carry out environmental initiatives, ✔️ actively influence positive changes within their school environment, ✔️ develop practical scientific, ecological, and social competences, ✔️ gain knowledge and skills essential both today and for the future. Our projects prove that education can go far beyond the classroom — providing young people with real tools to consciously shape the world around them. I am incredibly proud that the commitment, creativity, and responsibility of our students have been recognized and appreciated on the international stage. 🌍💚

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:25:08 +0100

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland

On May 6th, during EGU2026 GIFT (Geoscience Information for Teachers), I had the honor of presenting the environmental projects carried out by Dwójka students during the poster session.

I introduced our school’s key initiatives:

🌱 Ekosfera Dwójki – a sustainab…Read More

The Blue Lights project - Our Gardens, Your Oceans (...), Zabrze, Poland The Blue Lights project is implemented as an extension of the upper part of Ekosfera Dwójki, an outdoor educational garden at the II Liceum Ogolnokształcące im. Wojciecha Kilara w Zabrzu. This area of the garden previously experienced insufficient moisture levels during the last growing season, which limited plant development and biodiversity. In response, students are currently transforming this space into a more resilient and sustainable ecosystem. The project involves preparing the site for new plantings by introducing rainwater harvesting systems (water storage tanks) and installing an automated drip irrigation system. These solutions allow for efficient water management, ensuring that plants receive a controlled and sustainable supply of moisture even during dry periods. Through Blue Lights, students are not only improving local environmental conditions, but also learning how modern ecological technologies can support climate adaptation, water conservation, and sustainable urban green spaces.

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:07:21 +0100

The Blue Lights project – Our Gardens, Your Oceans (…), Zabrze, Poland

The Blue Lights project is implemented as an extension of the upper part of Ekosfera Dwójki, an outdoor educational garden at the II Liceum Ogolnokształcące im. Wojciecha Kilara w Zabrzu.

This area of the garden previously experienced insufficient moisture levels du…Read More

BlueLigtS granted project in Zabrze, Poland “Our Gardens, Your Oceans – Connecting Local Biodiversity with Global Water Awareness” aims to strengthen Ocean and Water Literacy by linking local environmental action with global sustainability challenges. Our project, “Our Gardens, Your Oceans – Connecting Local Biodiversity with Global Water Awareness”, was selected in the international BlueLightS grant competition, despite strong competition from across Europe, and received funding of €2000 💙🌍 The project is financed by the European Union under the Horizon Europe program and is implemented within the BlueLightS – BlueChallenges / BlueSchools competition, which aims to develop water and environmental education and support actions for the protection of water resources and biodiversity. As part of the project, students from II Liceum Ogólnokształcące im. Wojciecha Kilara in Zabrze will: 💧 Implement water retention solutions in the school’s Ecosphere, 🔬 Conduct environmental observations, including soil moisture monitoring (Citizen Science), 🤝 Collaborate internationally with partner schools via #eTwinning, 👩‍🏫 Conduct educational workshops for younger students. The project also aims to raise the knowledge of the entire school community about water on Earth, including groundwater, surface water, and ocean literacy. The project aligns with the EU mission “Restore our Ocean and Waters by 2030” and demonstrates that local actions can have a real impact on global environmental challenges. We are grateful for the trust and support — ahead of us lies intensive and inspiring work!

Tue, 12 May 2026 09:01:35 +0100

BlueLigtS granted project in Zabrze, Poland

“Our Gardens, Your Oceans – Connecting Local Biodiversity with Global Water
Awareness” aims to strengthen Ocean and Water Literacy by linking local environmental action with global sustainability challenges.

Our project, “Our Gardens, Your Oceans – Connecting Local Biodiversity with Global Wa…Read More