In the year of the 25th anniversary of the environmental education program we reached 2,186 students, teachers and the general public, we conducted a training program for kindergarten teachers of the municipalities of Lagos, Vila do Bispo and Aljezur, Lagoa, we carried out activities for the Scientific Summer Program, we collaborated with the Algarve Water Authority on coastal water quality monitoring, visited schools and kindergartens of Portimão and Lagos, offered three new activities on Thursdays, we have had projects with nine partners and received 32 classes of 12 different schools, a number higher than previous year.

But we would like to draw your attention to a particular project: A ROCHA in partnership with the Rui Grácio Teachers Training Centre, in Lagos, carried out a training action for kindergarten teachers under the theme “Observe, experiment and Learn – Recreate a Habitat”. The teachers of São Teotónio kindergarten managed to bring together the efforts of local authorities,
parents, students and the educational community for the construction of an artificial pond in the schoolyard. For these teachers was fascinating to see the enthusiasm of children and parents during the construction of the pond and the introduction of aquatic species of invertebrates that were inhabiting it. It was a different activity done in conjunction with families and educators and which will continue while the pond exist. Every morning the children visit the pond and see what is required for its ongoing maintenance in addition to monitor the existing species. These living creatures which are usually invisible to the eyes and ignored have become important and present in the daily lives of these children. Teachers, children and parents were motivated to this practical ecology, a major exercise of environmental citizenship, sustainable development and even an excellent learning process, teamwork and fun.