The Changemakers Project

What is it all about?

Save the Med is inviting students to be part of a positive wave of change in the world of marine regeneration by participating in the Changemakers Project which has three main parts to it.

1. The Changemakers Project

We invite students from the Balearic Islands to form teams and develop ideas that can help reduce plastic consumption. By implementing their projects students will help ignite a wave of change in their communities, and in May they will submit their projects to Save the Med Foundation.

Students aged 15 - 18 join the standard Changemakers At Sea project, while younger students 8-14 are welcome to participate in the Changemaker Junior Project. While these two separate versions differ in terms of criteria for participation, evaluation and rewards they are based on the same values and contribute to the common goal of reducing plastic pollution in the Balearics!

Scroll down to find out more about the type of project we're looking for and to download the informational leaflet corresponding to your age group to learn more and participate. 

2. The Changemakers Exhibit

An event where all teams can come together! Students from all over the islands will get together to present their projects to the public and discuss solutions to plastic pollution. Students will have a chance to view each other's projects, network, learn from each other, inspire and be inspired. Our team will view the projects and make a final decision before announcing the teams which will receive special rewards!* (*In 2020-2021, due to the pandemic, the event will be adapted to current safety restrictions)

3. Rewards

Changemakers At Sea (Students aged 15-18)

All participants will receive a Changemakers At Sea diploma. The five teams with the most impactful projects, evaluated by a panel of scientists and educators, will be announced during the Changemakers Exhibit. The teams behind the top two project will be rewarded with an unforgettable expedition experience each during the summer. For one week, students will help our scientists study marine life and human activities at sea, all the while gaining knowledge and skills to become true Ocean Ambassadors when they return.

The remaining three teams will be rewarded with a one day expedition on the solar powered boat Stenella. In addition, the classes of the five teams will receive 500€ each to invest in an environmental project, activity or excursion. 

Changemakers Junior (Pilot project launched in 2021 for students aged 8-14)

All participants will receive a Changemakers Junior diploma and get an opportunity to learn about the marine fauna of the Mediterranean sea,  about the scientific methods and tools used to study them and about the life of a marine scientist, together with STM's research and education team*. (*The format will depend of the current possibilities/limitations to ensure safety in times of COVID and be coordinated with the teachers.)

The most impactful projects will be offered an opportunity to develop a short documentary about their project together with Save The Med’s media production team!

Visit www.changemakersatsea.com to see past years projects and much more!

Students in the Balearic Islands aged 15*-18 and their teachers can participate in the Changemakers At Sea Project by forming small teams (see instructions in the corresponding information leaflet). (*Must turn 15 before the end of 2021) and get a chance to join the Save The Med team during expeditions. 

Students aged 8-14 and their teachers can participate in the Changemakers Junior Project by forming one big team with their whole class (see instructions in the corresponding information leaflet). (Note that the Junior students are not eligible for marine expeditions.)

The event, the Changemakers Exhibit is open to everyone: teachers, students, the school community and the general public. 

The objective of you project will be to REDUCE THE USE of single-use plastic. We are looking for creative solutions and ideas based on the three most important Rs: 

• REFUSE
• REDUCE
• REUSE

There are no limits to how you can achieve this but we encourage you to consider the interest and talents of your team members, and think of creative ways of how you can apply them to develop a fun, creative and inspiring project! 

We'd like to thank all the amazing Changemaker students and teachers who overcame last year's challenges and, despite the confinement, kept working hard to fight plastic pollution! In this video we share some of the highlights from our time at sea with them.