they have 11 years and an ambition that can be summed up in three words: “Save the planet”. On Thursday, September 24th, the students of the new 6th grade class “Marine Educational Area“(AME) from Soualiga College conducted their first action of the year on Friar's Bay beach, in partnership with the Clean Saint-Martin association.
Launched this academic year at Soualiga College, this class includes 20 students selected based on their motivation and their interest in the environment and biodiversity. On the agenda: two extra hours of Life and Earth Sciences (Life and Earth Sciences) every weekpresentations and field trips.
Armed with gloves, tongs, and trash bags, the 18 students present enthusiastically tackled the waste abandoned on the beach: glass bottles, plastics, tin cans, and even used diapers. Within minutes, the recycling bags were already quite full.The action was organized in collaboration with Clean Saint-Martin “Our mission is to clean the beaches and to pass on knowledge, so supporting them came naturally to us,” he explains. Jean-Christophe Pineau, president of the association.
Behind this class is a particularly dedicated teacher: Ophélie English, biology teacher and head teacher, trained in oceanographyThe idea of setting up a specialized environmental class was suggested to him by Vincent Oliva, sworn warden at the Saint-Martin Nature Reserve and in charge of environmental educationwho was already working with her students. Throughout the year, the children will study waste management, ecosystems, birds, whales, and then sharks, with presentations from specialists and trips to sea. Next year, the class will focus on climate and environmental risks.
“The goal is to to inspire vocations andto make them spokespeople“,” emphasizes Ophélie English. An ambition supported by a a grant of €4.000 the OFB (French Office for Biodiversity)For Jean-Christophe Pineau, “our future depends on these children.” _DR
