As part of Wetter.Wasser.Waterkant.2025-Hamburg and in collaboration with GEOMAR - Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, three-day events on the topic of “Plastic in the Sea” took place. Six classes from six different schools in the Hanseatic city of Hamburg took part in our program. Around 128 pupils, accompanied by two to three teachers, came to us to learn more about plastic in the sea. Overall, all the activities went well, although the age of the children made it challenging for us to meet all the expectations and wishes of children of different levels.

Our program during this event was varied, rich in knowledge, and consisted of the following six modules:

• Introductory short lecture on the topic of “Plastic in the Sea”
• Viewing and evaluating plastic from the household
• Viewing microplastic particles under the light microscope
• Presentation of the “XTREAM” research project with doctoral student Ivan P. B. Tualla
• Playing the educational card game “Lifespan of Materials in the Sea” and discussion
• Bilingual reading from the children's book “Plastic in the Sea” and learning effects from the story

The learning objectives of this year's program were

• To raise awareness of sustainability among pupils
• To promote intercultural communication through diversity

Persons involved in the workshops:

Dr. Hassan Humeida – workshop leader

Doctoral student Ivan P. B. Tualla – workshop assistant

The whole program of the proven educational week Wetter.Wasser.Waterkant from 22.9. to 2.10.2025 can be found at https://www2025.de/programm/

On Saturday, April 5, 2025, scientists from Kiel's universities and research institutions will be guests at Holtenauer Straße between 11 am and 2.30 pm. With them:

Dr. Hassan Humeida (GEOMAR): Plastic waste and consequences for the sea and marine life

In cooperation with the city's science department, the KielRegion and the association Die Holtenauer e.V., the Science Summer will combine topics and businesses into an exciting program. The researchers will present the issues they are currently working on in an easy-to-understand, entertaining and informative way. They only have a maximum of 30 minutes to do so.

Opening hours: 11:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Location: Holtenauer Straße, Kiel
Further information: www.wissenschafftzukunft-kiel.de/de/science_summer/holtenauer.php

Research Project XTREAM Investigates the Industrial Potential of Extremophilic Microorganisms

Microbes from Extreme Environments as Key to Innovations

The XTREAM project (Sustainable exploration and biodiscovery of novel products and processes from extreme aquatic microbiomes to expedite the circular bioeconomy) brings together 13 partners from universities, research institutions, and industry from seven European countries. The project will run for four years (2025–2028).

Marine Plastics: On the danger of fishing nets to marine life

We proudly present our Bachelor's student Hanna Nordström who was featured by ZDF TerraXpress showing that plastics is even found in remote lakes in Sweden. Hanna works together with Dr. Rüdiger Stöhr from the NGO One Earth-One Ocean and former member of the Marine Microbiology Unit at GEOMAR. Her work is shown here from minute 17 onwards: https://www.zdf.de/wissen/terra-xpress/abenteuer-kueste-neustart-am-meer-100.html

Erik Borchert, Ute Hentschel Humeida

How the ocean digests plastic waste - An insight into current research at GEOMAR

11 June 2021: Lecture by Dr Erik Borchert & Dr Hassan Humeida at the Toni-Jensen Community School Kiel

How voracious bacteria could solve the microplastic problem

19.5.2021 Dr Erik Borchert: Whether oceans or rivers: Microplastics can be found in high doses everywhere in the water. Researchers are looking for ways to deal with it. Hungry bacteria or tiny air bubbles are supposed to help. Article in: WELT Wissen

Marine conservation: research into enzymes that break down plastic

18.02.2021 TV feature Dr Erik Bochert in DAS! ∙ NDR Fernsehen

How does the plastic get into the deep sea?

15.01.2021 TV feature Dr Erik Borchert in the: NDR Schleswig-Holstein-Magazin

Research against plastic waste in the oceans

26.7.2020 Dr Erik Borchert: Plastic in the oceans is a problem for all creatures that live in them. That's why scientists are researching how to prevent even more of it from ending up in the oceans. www.shz.de/regionales/kina/forschen-gegen-plastikmuell-in-den-ozeanen-id29086232.html