Production and launching:
After some exiting and challenging days in the workshop with the students, Rebecca, Harald and Søren, the huts came out really great. We made som really good experiences on materials and how we are supposed plan the process so that the kids are able to the work themselves. This is crucial for them to feel committed to the project, and get the ownership we try and give them.
With the right, homemade tools, bending and splicing the cave was no problem for the students.
Is was a timedemanding task, but it was motivating to see how it came together, and pretty quick it began to look like something from the pictures and work drawings.
The huts consists of 3-4 chambers, designed to carry different kinds of shells.
- Mytilus edulis
- Crassostrea gigas
- Ostrea edulis
- Cerastoderma edule
After af presentation of the shells, the students had to discus which ones they belived would make the best home for the marine organisms. Here size, surface and natural habitat was discussed, so that they had an understanding on pros and cons for the different shells.
Finally we got into action with both production and launching of the huts.
The launching/installation of the huts, worked out good. Søren made a little speech for the kids, school manager, director of the harbor and they official commune biologist on a “fishbox” (His first ever on a fishbox). The way of making the kids project an official event with approval from real people, was a big thing for the students. All biohuts were granted ;), and the kids were ready for installation.
On this day, the students made 360 degree video recordings on the location were their huts were to be installed. They did this before installation to document the habitat and its inhabitants before installing the hut.
Other than that, they made some field studies on the area. They measured the temperature of the water and made Søren take some water samples to register the salinity in the specific area.
Students were eager to help, and very proud of their huts. Seeing them get submerged made the the project become real for them. They felt likes guardians of the sea, and felt responsible for making some positive changes for the environment.
Next stop for the students, is to go and see the huts again. Many of them wanted to snorkel with Søren, and see them on close range. Its really motivating to feel the commitment from the students, and how they just want to get involved and explorer the huts and its inhabitants. Due to strict regulations, snorkeling must be arranged after school in private settings with their parents.
The huts is now working perfect with lots of macroalgae on the inside and outside. This makes a perfect shelter for the fishes to thrive. Søren went diving there Friday 31/7, and made some pic2020/08/25/dk-pilot-2-launching/tures showing a rich variety of fishes.
