Sailing Through Knowledge: The Blue Treasure Hunt Inspired Over 250 Young Explorers!
The Blue Treasure Hunt, organised by the EU funded projects BlueMissionMed and iCULTURE, captured the imagination of children and families at the European Researchers’ Night – LEAF (heaL thE plAnet’s Future), held on 26–27 September 2025 in Frascati, Italy, and promoted by Frascati Scienza.
Far from a traditional booth, the Blue Treasure Hunt transformed into an archipelago of knowledge, where each thematic station became a vibrant education island to be discovered. Children navigated their way through five immersive “islands”—Ocean Literacy, Biodiversity, Blue Economy, Threats to Waters, and Active Citizenship—with playful challenges and experiments inspired directly by the chapters of the book for kids “Our Blue Treasure“. This design created a strong educational link: the very pages they would later read at home had already come alive through hands-on exploration.
At the start of their adventure, every child received a Blue Passport, stamped at each island visited. Curiosity and excitement grew with every challenge, and those who completed the full voyage unlocked their ultimate reward: the book “Our Blue Treasure” itself, a treasure to continue the journey beyond the event.
Over 500 participants embarked on this unique educational journey, and 250 copies of the book were distributed to kids as a final reward.
The initiative was brought to life by the BlueMissionMed partner FVA – New Media Research, with the scientific guidance of marine biologist Martina Gaglioti and the support of ARPA Lazio experts Filippo Fratini, Martina Fustolo, and Andrea Bonifazi. Together, they created an experience where science, art, and sustainability merged—proving that learning about our waters can be as fun and adventurous as setting sail on the open sea.
The enthusiastic response confirms the power of playful, immersive education to inspire a new generation of ocean citizens, ready to care for and protect the most vital treasure we all share: water.
At the inauguration evening, the book was presented to the Italian Minister of University and Research, Anna Maria Bernini, who praised the initiative and expressed her appreciation for the work. Her recognition gave strong political visibility to the project, confirming how education and citizen engagement are essential drivers in advancing the Mission Ocean goals.
