Project: An Educational ROV for Marine Meadow Conservation.
Objectives of the project
Posidonia oceanica, endemic to the Mediterranean Sea, was presented as a marine plant of vital importance. Often mistaken for algae, it forms extensive underwater meadows that represent one of the most productive ecosystems on the planet. These meadows played a crucial role in protecting coastlines from erosion, producing oxygen, and creating habitats for numerous marine species. Their health was highlighted as a direct indicator of coastal water quality.
The coasts of Liguria, particularly the area between the Cinque Terre and Levanto, were identified as hosting significant Posidonia meadows. However, these were threatened by pollution, illegal fishing, and unregulated anchoring. Continuous monitoring of these areas was emphasised as essential to understand their health status and to promote conservation actions.
The project aimed to involve middle and high school students in the design and construction of a Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV). The objectives were to offer a practical, multidisciplinary learning experience combining physics, electronics, computer science, engineering, and marine biology, and to create a working prototype capable of supporting the monitoring of Posidonia meadows, contributing to research and raising awareness of their importance.
Activities
The project focused on the design and construction of an ROV capable of operating at depths of up to 15 metres. The vehicle was integrated with sensors for detecting key parameters, including temperature, pressure/depth, salinity, and dissolved oxygen.
The ROV was equipped with a camera for visual mapping and documentation of the meadows. Students were actively involved in all phases of the project, from research to the operational and environmental monitoring phase. The project also included awareness-raising activities within the school and local community regarding the importance of Posidonia meadows and the protection of the marine environment.
Expected Outputs
The project produced a functional, customised ROV built entirely by the students. It also generated a set of environmental data and a video and photographic archive of the Posidonia meadows.
A final report was developed to illustrate the project phases and the findings, and the results were shared through participation in public presentation events.
Impact
The project involved approximately 20-30 middle and high school students from two different schools in the design and construction of the ROV. The Marine Protected Area of Cinque Terre was involved, together with bioacoustic scientist Dott. Walter Zimmer.
The initiative strengthened students’ engagement with marine science and technology while contributing to increased awareness of the importance of Posidonia meadows and the protection of the marine environment within the wider community.
Helping today’s students become the scientists who will study and protect the marine
ecosystems of our Mediterranean in the future.
