From the classroom to the ocean: Integrating the sea into Gran Canaria’s school curriculum

• January 30, 2026

The Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands (PLOCAN) has driven the launch and consolidation of the Canary Network of Blue Schools, a strategic initiative to strengthen ocean literacy in Gran Canaria’s classrooms. The network aims to connect educational centres with scientific and maritime entities, facilitating access to pedagogical resources, practical experiences and new funding opportunities. Its goal is to accelerate the incorporation of marine themes into student learning from Primary Education through to Vocational Training.

To introduce this network, PLOCAN held the Blue Schools Seminar in Gran Canaria at its Taliarte facility in Telde. This training day for teachers is part of the European project PHAROS, coordinated by PLOCAN, and the Gran Canaria Living Lab, organised jointly with the Canary Islands Maritime Cluster. The event brought together teaching staff and entities linked to blue education to strengthen the bond between the educational community and the ocean, promoting sustainability, innovation and environmental management.

During the seminar, the key aspects of the European Blue Schools programme were presented. This programme promotes challenge based learning linked to the marine environment. The requirements for obtaining Blue School certification were explained, as were the available European funding opportunities to support educational projects in this field.

Silvia Martín, a PLOCAN researcher and coordinator of the network, emphasised that the initiative offers tools and support with scientific rigour so that teachers and students can understand, value and actively engage in caring for the marine environment. This knowledge is integrated into the curriculum as “useful, accessible and transformative” learning.

Meanwhile, Eli Bonfill, head of Blue Schools in PHAROS, highlighted the importance of training teaching staff, who act as fundamental conduits for raising awareness among new generations. She defined these students as the future guardians of our oceans.

A key milestone of the event was the official presentation of the Canary Network of Blue Schools as a permanent collaborative space. This initiative seeks to facilitate partnerships, share experiences and coordinate actions that reinforce the presence of the ocean in school life, connecting classroom learning with activities in the local environment. The day also included an exhibition of inspiring experiences from educational centres already involved and a mini fair where various organisations presented teaching resources and materials.

The Blue Schools Seminar is part of the wider PHAROS mega project schedule, which that week held various complementary activities in Gran Canaria to extend the reach of ocean literacy and social commitment to the marine environment.

Sources and Photos:

• atlanticohoy.com: PDF version here
• Telde Habla: PDF version here
• tellkes.com: PDF version here