Initiatives to be discovered in Room Atelier +1 (first floor)
Ecological modelling
Take a journey through time and witness the growing threat of plastic pollution. Our interactive app lets you explore the increasing concentrations of floating marine microplastics from 1961 to 2100. See the plastic tide rising and be empowered to take action for a healthier future for our oceans.
Plastic
Dive into "Plastic Journey of the Senses", a peculiar interactive booth where your senses guide you through the fascinating world of plastics. Listen, see and touch a variety of plastics and challenge yourself to identify them using only your senses. Here, we hope to offer you a fresh perspective on the materials that shape our everyday lives. Join us for a captivating adventure into the sensory wonders of plastics and leave with a deeper understanding of this ubiquitous material.
SoundMemory game
At the Sound Booth you will be able to learn about the different sound sources present in the Belgian Part of the North Sea, and play a memory gain to train your skills in recognizing them. You will further be able to listen how anthropogenic activities affect the natural soundscape of the marine environment.
VLIZ Library
Explore a sample of the rich marine book collection stored at VLIZ and marvel at the beautiful diversity housed within the library.
Initiatives to be discovered in Room Studio +1 (first floor)
Scientific diving & EMBRC
EMBRC-BE is the Belgian node of the European Marine Biological Resource Center (EMBRC), a research infrastructure for marine biological resources. In this booth we will focus on two initiatives: (1) the European Marine Omics Biodiversity Observation Network (EMO-BON) which uses ARMS (Autonomous Reef Monitoring Structures) to sample hard substrate fauna, and (2) Marine Training Unit which manages two digital platforms for the EMBRC-ERIC; a searchable training catalogue and an e-learning platform. Learn more about the VLIZ scientific diving team and the diversity of tasks it performs.
VR experience Ocean and Human Health
Immerse yourself in the beauty of our beaches at the Belgian coast and feel how your body reacts to the sound of splashing waves, distant views, and sunny vibes… Or not, because plastic litter can be a bummer for the coastal experience. This booth allows you to relive our virtual-reality experiment with psychophysiological measurements.
JPI Oceans Andromeda project
JPI Oceans is a pan-European platform aiming to increase efficiency and impact of research and innovation for sustainably healthy and productive seas and oceans. Its members are ministries and funding agencies that develop, fund, and implement national research agendas.
Under the JPI Oceans umbrella six projects were funded to conduct research on microplastics in the marine environment. One of these, the ANDROMEDA project focused on techniques for quantifying nano-and microplastic particles and their degradation in the marine environment. In that context the project developed a citizen science app to enable citizens to help scientists in addressing this global environmental problem of microplastics. The app, which will be showcased at the JPI Oceans booth, uses artificial intelligence to analyse photos of microplastics and learns to identify these over time.
Extra in Room Dactylo (third floor)
Movies
Enjoy the peace and quiet, and a loop of underwater movies.
Green screen
Want to share your attendance on your socials? Come take a picture in front of the VLIZ green screen. Place yourselves on the Simon Stevin, in the VLIZ labs, or ‘under the sea’! We will provide you with multiple options on the spot. And yes, we do have props!