On June 19, 2026, Mare Nostrum (MN) organised educational workshops at the Constanța Casino Promenade in Romania, bringing together 144 students from primary, secondary and high school levels. The activities focused on Black Sea biodiversity, marine food webs and the functioning of marine ecosystems.
The workshops featured three interactive activities designed to introduce students to marine ecological relationships. In the first activity, participants built a trophic pyramid using display boards and illustrated cards showing characteristic Black Sea species. Through the activity, they explored the relationships between organisms and the role of different trophic levels within the food chain.
The second activity used role-playing to make the concept of a food chain more tangible. Students represented different marine species and used a rope to create connections between them. This activity helped demonstrate energy transfer through the food chain, the interdependence of organisms and the influence of abiotic factors on marine ecosystems.
The third activity introduced participants to the diversity of Black Sea marine habitats through a demonstration aquarium containing 3D models of marine organisms. Students had the opportunity to observe the characteristics of pelagic and benthic species and explore the diversity of habitats found within the marine environment.
By combining visual models, role-playing and practical observation, the workshops created an engaging learning environment for students of different age groups. The activities strengthened participants’ knowledge of Black Sea biodiversity and underlined the importance of conserving marine ecosystems.
