Lycée Diadème Hosts Partners of the Erasmus+ BlueOcean Project from April 28 to May 2, 2025
From Monday, April 28, to Friday, May 2, 2025, Lycée Polyvalent Diadème was the venue for an international event: the BlueOcean meeting, organized as part of the Erasmus+ project of the same name. This week brought together partners from four countries—Malta, Italy, Greece, and French Polynesia—around a common goal: to train, raise awareness, and inspire a new generation of leaders committed to ocean conservation and the development of blue careers.
The event aimed to:
● Promote careers related to the sea and ocean conservation on an international scale,
● Strengthen students’ skills in marine conservation,
● Provide teachers with educational tools and practical methodologies to integrate ocean education into their lessons.
A packed program organized by the Diadème team
The week was organized by the Lycée Diadème steering committee, coordinated by Ms. Ségolène d’ORTOLI-GUICHARD. This ambitious program trained 50 teachers through presentations by scientists from the “Tama no te Tairoto” association, IREMP, the Rahui Center, and CRIOBE, as well as experts in Marine Educational Areas, career guidance, and international relations.
Marine-themed lectures to inspire career paths
Over two days of lectures, the teachers benefited from the expertise of four leading figures In Polynesia’s maritime world:
● Vetea LIAO, a coral reef specialist and founder of the conservation organization “Tama no te Tairoto”
● Clémentine SEGUIGNE, an expert on sharks and their role in the ecosystem,
● Tamatoa BAMBRIDGE, a researcher studying the reproductive cycles of local marine species,
● Heifara TRAFTON, director of the Center for Maritime Professions, who came to present “blue economy” career opportunities available to young people.
Among the notable guests was Moerani Rey, director of the CIO (Information and Guidance Center) in Tahiti, who actively participated in the two-day conference, providing essential insights into guiding students toward maritime careers. These discussions were interspersed with practical and interactive workshops where teachers were able to engage with the educational content.
Four International Educational Workshops for Action
Following the conferences, four thematic exercises were proposed by the partners:
● Lipari (Italy): “Water in History,” an educational narrative on the importance of water in daily life and culture,
● Malta: Workshop on maritime careers, with a focus on current professional needs,
● Igor Vitale International (Italy): A case study on the salt trade and its connection to the sea,
● Greece: “Meeting the New Generation of Ocean Stewards”—a narrative introduction featuring a student passionate about the ocean but unaware of related careers.
This last workshop serves as a reminder that many young people love nature but don’t know how to turn that passion into a career. The goal, then, is to spark their curiosity through education, perhaps uncovering future marine biologists, sailors, or researchers who are sitting in our classrooms today.
A Cultural and Scientific Immersion in Polynesia
At the same time, participants visited:
● The Museum of Tahiti and the Islands, to explore the history of the territory, its oceans, and its ecosystems,
● CRIOBE in Moorea, where two researchers shared their work on marine biodiversity, showcasing the coral, sea urchin, and fish cultivation beds as well as the research facilities.
The Ocean as a Shared Educational Horizon
This gathering demonstrated that ocean culture can be a source of meaning, commitment, and a promising future for young people. It also highlighted the importance of international cooperation—between institutions and across continents—to collectively build an education system geared toward a more sustainable world that respects the oceans. BlueOcean thus continues its mission: to train inspired teachers, spark vocations, and guide a generation toward the careers of tomorrow.
Vetea Liao: Director of an Organization: Bridging Science, Tradition, and Technology for Ocean Conservation
The speaker, Vetea Liao, director of the Temana no te Tairoto association and nature photographer, recounted his academic journey in marine biology, from his specialized studies in France to his advanced training on Australian coral reefs. He emphasizes the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) skills for his work: knowledge of marine biology, laboratory techniques, field skills such as diving and navigation, and, more recently, digital skills such as designing a citizen science mobile app. He emphasizes the importance of communication, project management, and collaboration with schools in the Marine Education Areas, where his organization raises children’s awareness of marine ecosystems from a very young age. He highlights the value of combining fishermen’s empirical knowledge with scientific research to better understand natural phenomena such as coral reproduction and to improve data collection through the mobile app. Finally, he addresses major environmental challenges in Polynesia, including the protection of lagoons, the impact of human activities on coral reefs, and international debates on the exploitation of deep-sea resources. He asserts that before exploiting deep-sea ecosystems, humanity must first understand them in order to avoid irreversible damage.
Interview with Dr. Clémentine Séguigne, president of an environmental organization dedicated to the conservation of mesophotic ecosystems and the deep sea.
She explains the wide range of skills required for her work, ranging from biology, ecology, genetics, programming, and data analysis to technical skills such as professional diving, fishing techniques, and risk management at sea. She emphasizes that conservation relies not only on scientists, but also on captains, technicians, communicators, and custodians of cultural knowledge such as local fishermen. She gives examples of collaborative projects involving professionals from diverse backgrounds to study and protect sharks, including rare species observed only by fishermen. She also discusses her unconventional career path—from engineering to ecology via her passion for diving—and emphasizes the importance of engaging students and the public in “blue careers.”
Dr. Seguigne notes that artificial intelligence will significantly transform conservation work, particularly in tasks such as the photo-identification of sharks. However, she emphasizes that AI will never replace expert judgment and critical thinking. Finally, she explains that creativity plays a key role in designing innovative research projects and engaging the public through artistic collaborations and educational materials.
Bridging the Gap Between Science and Society: Outreach and Education on Coral Reefs.
Cécile, a science communicator specializing in coral reefs, explains her multifaceted profession. She works with various organizations and audiences to share scientific knowledge, particularly about coral reef ecosystems. Her work combines biology with multimedia skills, problem-solving, and data management to make science accessible. She emphasizes tailoring her communication to different audiences—from children to adults—using emotional, experiential, and intergenerational approaches. She integrates both traditional knowledge and scientific understanding, fostering critical thinking and environmental awareness. Cécile also describes her educational and professional background, including her high school diploma in the humanities, her university training in library science, and her studies in marine biology in French Polynesia. The video shows how science communication bridges research, education, and public engagement, making complex ecological phenomena relevant and meaningful.
Elise Rigot: From Coral Reefs to 3D Modeling: Rethinking Ocean Design
Elise Rigot, a professor and researcher at the University of Toulouse Jean Jaurès, explains her work and her academic background. She specializes in the relationship between art, design, and science, particularly in projects related to the ocean. Her research involves developing an “oceanic design” approach and collaborating closely with scientists and engineers. She describes how her work relates to STEM skills, notably through the use of modeling and 3D printing, engineering tools, and interdisciplinary collaboration with CNRS laboratories to study biological issues such as coral structures and larval recruitment. She also emphasizes the importance of fieldwork and collaborating with professionals such as marine biologists, naturalists, and sometimes fishermen. Elise traces her academic journey, from design school to a master’s degree in design-science interactions, followed by a Ph.D. at LAAS-CNRS. Her interest in science stemmed from ethical questions about technology and a desire to understand technical systems from the inside. She emphasizes the wide range of skills required in design: observation, drawing, continuous adaptation to new digital tools, creativity, and the ability to reframe problems rather than simply meeting specifications. Elise presents a major project carried out in French Polynesia: Toa – Walk in the Coral Forest, a poetic 3D animation about the coral life cycle combined with a virtual 3D microscope that allows users to explore fragments of coral skeletons. The project blends scientific precision with cultural perspectives to make scientific knowledge more accessible and emotionally engaging. Finally, she discusses the importance of developing critical thinking and identifies key future STEM-related jobs for ocean conservation, such as the development of environmental sensors, data processing, ecosystem modeling, artificial intelligence for species identification, and the management of complex genetic and environmental databases.