Stars and STEM Stories
GLOBE Malta: Water Wise Project Celebration Highlights Student Science, Sustainability, and Action in Gozo
The GLOBE Water Wise Project Celebration, held at Villa Rundle on Saturday, 9 May, marked an important milestone in another successful year of GLOBE implementation in Gozo. The event brought together students, educators, partners, and stakeholders to celebrate learning, scientific investigation, and environmental stewardship through the GLOBE Program.
The Water Wise Project, coordinated by Ramona Mercieca, GLOBE Malta Deputy Country Coordinator, in collaboration with EUROPE DIRECT Gozo, engaged nine schools from across Gozo, spanning primary, secondary, and post-secondary levels. The project focused on water as a critical natural resource — particularly relevant to small island communities — and provided students with meaningful opportunities to investigate environmental challenges using GLOBE protocols.
Hands-On Science Learning Through GLOBE Protocols
Throughout the scholastic year, students took part in hands-on, inquiry-based learning rooted in real scientific practice. Using GLOBE Atmosphere and Hydrosphere protocols, students monitored local weather conditions, measured rainfall, explored freshwater systems, and analyzed data collected from their own surroundings.
As part of the project, students:
- Monitored daily weather and rainfall during a 4-week intensive observation period
- Investigated local freshwater sources and water-related environmental issues
- Connected climate patterns to water availability
- Developed practical, school-based, water-saving proposals
These activities strengthened students’ scientific skills while helping them understand how local observations contribute to global datasets, reinforcing the role of GLOBE as a global citizen science program.
Student Presentations at the Heart of the Celebration
Students from Laura Vicuna Primary School Għasri, Gozo College Ġużé Aquilina Primary & Special Unit Sannat, and St. Francis Primary School Victoria shared highlights of their Water Wise journey, explaining their investigations, data collection processes, findings, and proposed solutions.
Through confident presentations, students demonstrated not only their scientific understanding but also their ability to communicate evidence-based conclusions, an essential component of STEAM education. Their work clearly reflected the principles of the European Green Deal and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly those related to clean water and sanitation, climate action, responsible resource use, and quality education.
STEAM and Sustainability Award for Participating Schools
Following the student presentations, all participating schools were recognized with the STEAM and Sustainability Award, launched to acknowledge sustained engagement in GLOBE projects and long-term commitment to environmental education. Certificates and awards were presented by Ms. Maria Elena Despott, head of the European Commission Representation in Malta.
The following schools received the award (the number in brackets shows the number of badges awarded):
- Gozo College Ġużé Aquilina Primary & Special Unit, Sannat (4)
- Gozo College Karmni Grima Primary School, Għarb (4)
- Gozo College Mons. Giovanni Andrea Vella Primary School, Żebbuġ (4)
- Gozo College Sir Arturo Mercieca Primary School, Victoria (4)
- Laura Vicuña Primary School (4)
- St Francis Primary School (3)
- Gozo College Peter Paul Grech Primary School, Kerċem (2)
- Sacred Heart Minor Seminary (2)
- Sir M.A. Refalo Sixth Form (2)
The award takes the form of a custom-designed trophy including an outline of the island of Gozo, featuring the logos of the GLOBE Program and EUROPE DIRECT Gozo. A key feature of the trophy is the inclusion of project badges, with each badge representing a completed GLOBE project. Schools receive a new badge for every project they successfully complete in future years, allowing the award to grow over time as a symbol of continuity, consistency, and progress. The trophy was designed by Mercieca and funded by EUROPE DIRECT Gozo. This year’s celebration also marked the fourth consecutive year of collaboration between GLOBE Malta and EUROPE DIRECT Gozo.
Building on Previous Environmental Themes
The Water Wise Project builds on a series of GLOBE themes implemented in previous years, all aligned with GLOBE protocols, the European Green Deal and the UN SDGs. Schools participating in the GLOBE Malta–EUROPE DIRECT Gozo collaboration have previously explored:
- Air quality
- Soil
- Pollinator gardens and biodiversity
- Water
Each theme encourages students to apply scientific methods, collect and analyze data, and understand how local environmental systems are connected to global processes.
GLOBE Information Stall for Citizen Science Outreach 
After the award ceremony, students, educators, and guests were invited to visit the GLOBE information stall set up at Villa Rundle. The stall showcased posters, photographs, and project displays highlighting the extensive environmental work carried out by schools across Gozo throughout the scholastic year.
Ramona Mercieca was present at the stall, where she engaged with visitors and explained the aims of the GLOBE Program as a global citizen science initiative. She highlighted how students contribute meaningful environmental data while developing scientific literacy, environmental awareness, and a strong sense of responsibility toward their local communities.
A Shared Commitment to Sustainability and Education
The GLOBE Water Wise Project Celebration successfully highlighted how science education, sustainability, and students’ voices come together through the GLOBE Program. By engaging students in real-world investigations aligned with European and global sustainability frameworks, the project continues to empower young people to understand their environment and take informed action.
Special thanks to Mr. Jesmond Buttigieg, manager of EUROPE DIRECT Gozo, and Mr. Daniel Borg, CEO of the Gozo Business Chamber, for their continued support, which has played an important role in strengthening STEAM education and environmental learning across Gozo.
Learn more about GLOBE Malta.
Story and photos courtesy of Ramona Mercieca, GLOBE Deputy Country Coordinator for Malta