Field Course for Students

Field Course in Applied Environmental Conservation for Students (Daily Plan)

Below is a proposed draft plan of the course’s daily activities. Each field course will be tailored so that it is adapted to suit the interest areas and the specific expected knowledge outcomes of each group of students. The proposed field course plan consists of a minimum of 6 days (see Days 1-6 below), with the option to extend to a total of 9 days (while Days 7,8 & 9 proposed below are considered optional). A combination of the suggested daily activities is also possible.

DAY 1.	Arrival / Intro Day
Course Theme	“Introduction to the Applied Conservation Efforts of Archipelagos Institute & the Necessity of taking action for Environmental Protection”
Welcome Session (10:00-10:45)	Welcome meeting – getting to know the research base
Morning Session (11:00-13:00)	Introduction to the Archipelagos Institute of Marine Conservation: Overview of 25 years of conservation efforts – defending the biodiversity of the Aegean Getting to know the Archipelagos research team, the participating educators, and the students.
Lunch Break: (13:00-15:00)
Afternoon session (15:00-17:00)	Protected species & habitats in the Aegean Sea and islands; threats caused by human activities; solutions to address anthropogenic threats How can we all contribute to applied environmental conservation Learning to live sustainably in the era of climate change: how can each of us protect the environment by adopting a more sustainable lifestyle Discussion / Q&A’s
Dinner: (18:30-19:30)

DAY 2.	Activities
Course Theme	Plastic Pollution in Aquatic Environments
Morning Session: (11:00-13:00)	Sources and causes of plastic pollution in the seas, oceans, rivers and lakes How does plastic pollution (macroplastics, microplastics, nano plastics) affect human health and ecosystem health How can each of us limit our plastic footprint – at a personal/ household/school and town level
Lunch Break: (13:00-15:00)
Afternoon Session: (15:00-17:00)	Beach cleanup and quantification of collected debris – type/ origin/ source Discussion session at the beach site Q&As and Suggestions by the students
Dinner: (18:30-19:30)

DAY 3.	Activities
Course Theme	Protecting Terrestrial Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Morning Session (11:00-13:00)	Important animal species in the Aegean Sea islands (jackals, chameleons, migratory birds, bats) Important plant species in the Aegean Sea islands – 1500 species of plants found on Samos island Human-induced threats – plastic pollution, pesticides, wildfires Climate change impacts How can we protect terrestrial biodiversity – in Greece and at home
Lunch Break: (13:00-15:00)
Afternoon Session: (15:00-17:00)	Terrestrial biodiversity survey – Hike to a river valley – one of the rare freshwater habitats of the Aegean Discussion and brainstorming on conservation issues at the River Valley site
Dinner: (18:30-19:30)

DAY 4.	Activities
Course Theme	Protecting Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Morning Session (11:00-13:00)	Important animal species in the Aegean Sea (dolphins, whales, sharks, sea turtles) Important marine habitats in the Aegean Sea – seagrass meadows in the shallows and coralligenous reefs in the deep Human-induced threats – overfishing, plastic pollution, destruction of protected habitats Climate change impacts How can we all protect marine biodiversity
Lunch Break: (13:00-15:00)
Afternoon: (15:00-17:00)	Workshop on dolphin photo-identification Visit a coastal site – discussion on management and conservation
Dinner: (18:30-19:30)

DAY 5.	Activities
Course Theme	Greek School Visit & Cultural Activities
Morning Session (10:00-13:00)	Visit to a local public school Joint cultural & social activities with the Greek students Visit to Historical / Archaeological site of Samos island
Lunch Break: (13:00-15:00)
Afternoon Session: (15:00-17:00)	Discovering some of the greatest figures of ancient Samos: the mathematician Pythagoras and astronomer Aristarchus. Their work and influence on modern science Joint activities with the Greek students
Dinner: (18:30-19:30)

DAY 6.	Activities
Course Theme	*Field Visits & Cultural Activities**
Morning Session: (11:00-13:00)	Field visit with Environmental Education Interest *(Depending upon weather conditions)
Lunch Break: (13:00-15:00)
Afternoon Session: (15:00-17:00)		Ceremony – Closure of the Course – Certificates Farewell Party (including cultural activities, and traditional food)
Dinner (18:30-19:30)

DAY 7.	Activities (OPTIONAL)
Course Theme	Applied Marine Conservation On board the Research Vessel Aegean Explorer
The whole day will be dedicated to a boat-based survey – The schedule for the day will be defined according to the weather conditions	Morning Briefing Research Survey with a focus on – Monitoring marine habitats of deep waters with the use of Remotely Operated Vehicles (ROVs), sonars, and other research equipment. The students will take part and assist in various types of surveys, providing them with an understanding of the methods and the importance of marine ecosystem monitoring. Depending on the weather conditions which will define the location of the survey, target habitats can include the Posidonia seagrass meadows – the underwater forests of the Mediterranean Sea or reefs with aggregations of sponges and corals. At the end of the day there will be a debriefing and discussion with a focus on environmental education activities with a focus on marine ecosystems, the factors that threaten them, but also the important ecosystem services they provide.
Dinner (18:30-19:30)

DAY 8.

Cultural Visits (OPTIONAL)

Whole Day Activity: (09:00-17:00)

Visit the Archaeological Museum situated at the village of Pythagorio (the location of the ancient city of Samos and the hometown of the mathematician Pythagoras). The exhibition illuminates aspects of the historical and cultural evolution of ancient Samos from the Neolithic period (4th millennium BC) to late antiquity (7th cent. AD.)

Visit archaeological sites of great historical significance, such as the ancient Temple of Goddess Hera and the Tunnel of Eupalinos, both of which are mentioned as wonders of the ancient world by the famous historian Herodotus, who is often referred to as the Father of History.

Free time to explore local villages

Dinner: (18:30-19:30)
Dinner at Traditional Tavern

DAY 9.	Day trip (OPTIONAL)
Activity:	Day trip around Samos and hiking in Samos mountains (depending on the weather)
Whole Day Activity: (09:00-17:00)	Option 1: Hike Potami – Megalo Seitani Potami (Rt. 1, 7.6 km, 4 h, 572 m ↗). Picnic lunch. Option 2: Hike Kastania – Kosmadei – Nikoloudes – Potami (Rt. 5+3+2, 11.3 km, 6h, 812 m ↗). Lunch in a traditional taverna Option 3: Hike Pythagorio – Ancient Samos (Rt. 31, 8 km, 4h, 356 m ↗). Lunch in Pythagorio.
Dinner (18:30-19:30)