Connecting Research and Community: Celebrating Another Year of Educational Outreach by the USJ Mangrove Team
Connecting Research and Community: Celebrating Another Year of Educational Outreach by the USJ Mangrove Team
07
Jul
07/07/2026
The Mangrove Team from the Department of Science and Environment (DSE) continued to inspire curiosity about nature and sustainability through a series of outreach activities across Macao throughout the academic year 2025-2026.
This academic year (2025-2026), the Mangrove Team from the Department of Science and Environment (DSE), formerly known as the Institute of Science and Environment, continued to inspire curiosity about nature and sustainability through a series of outreach activities across Macao. Between September 2025 and June 2026, the team organised and participated in more than 10 outreach events, engaging hundreds of students and educators from primary, secondary, and university schools.
The outreach programme reached learners at different stages of their educational journey through talks, workshops, interactive learning sessions, and research-sharing events. Participants explored a wide range of environmental topics, including mangrove ecology, biodiversity conservation, environmental DNA (eDNA), sustainability, ecological footprints, plastic pollution, water quality, and nature-based solutions. From introducing younger students to the wildlife of Macao’s mangroves to discussing biodiversity monitoring and emerging research methods with older students and university audiences, these activities helped participants better understand local environmental challenges and the scientific tools used to address them.
In addition to traditional outreach activities, the team continued to explore innovative approaches to science communication through a collaboration with the Library. The project, called the Immersive Mangroves Reading Room, has transformed a library space into an interactive learning environment where visitors can step into the role of young researchers and uncover the secrets of mangrove ecosystems through displays, soundscapes, clues, and storytelling. Featuring the original “Mangrove Guardians” characters, the project demonstrates how science and creativity can be combined to create engaging and memorable learning experiences for the environment.
By combining research, education, and community engagement, these outreach activities reflect the Mangrove Team’s ongoing commitment to fostering environmental awareness and inspiring future generations to appreciate and protect the natural ecosystems that support our city.
The majority of this work was carried out under the Drop by Drop sponsored projects – WASH2025 and WASH2026.
