Research at sea competition

20 competitions - 59 teams - 180 students

The German Ocean Foundation invites students from the 9th grade and above to take part in the "Research at Sea" competition, in which young researchers can carry out their projects on a real research vessel. Since 2005, the competition has been the largest and most attractive young talent initiative for the ocean in Germany. The competition was recognized as an endorsed activity of the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development (2021-2030) in 2021 and has since run under the Decade's motto "the science we need, for the ocean we want".

In the multi-award-winning marine competition, teams of students apply with their own research ideas for a one-week expedition in the summer in the North or Baltic Sea. We are constantly looking for new ideas that have not yet gained traction in everyday marine science or for innovative solutions to existing problems. The fact that around 90% of the ocean is still unknown to us is our motivation to get young people involved in marine science from an early stage.

Climate change, marine pollution and the impact of overfishing and noise pose major challenges for the ocean. Science, society and politics must quickly find answers to how the global community can comply with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) that were established in 2015. Building on SDG 14 "Life below water", which is closely linked to SDG 13 "Climate action", the UN Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development aims to provide a scientific basis and recommendations for action to implement the UN's ocean-related Sustainable Development Goals. We are therefore calling on students to explicitly address issues that are related to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and the 7 outcomes of the UN Decade of Ocean Science that have not yet been sufficiently researched.

A renowned jury from the world of science select the most innovative and feasible ideas, which are then implemented on board the research vessel ALDEBARAN. The teams that convince our jury with their research ideas can take samples, experiment and analyze them on board the ALDEBARAN for a week. Each team is supported by a marine biologist and mentor who help them develop a realistic research expedition from the project outline. The mentors accompany the teams on their research expeditions and help them analyze their data afterwards. The teams also receive media support during the research expeditions so that interest and enthusiasm for marine research topics can be aroused and strengthened in schools, the media and social networks.