Oceanography outreach and education in informal and non-formal learning environments

Good outreach programmes for promoting public awareness and education in marine sciences are key ingredients to stimulate students interest on these research fields. However, though many scientists have always been individually active in outreach programmes, only recently these activities became part of more coordinated actions. The Italian Institute for Marine Science of CNR (ISMAR) has undertaken, in the last years, several projects aimed at the dissemination of its scientific research fields with the partnerships with other research institutions and schools, through contribution to science festivals and scientific museum [ 1] and organization of events.