Plastics in the Sea? The Solution Is on LAND!

On Saturday, March 21, 2026, at 18:30, the Science and Technology Museum will host the event “Saving the Sea from Plastics” to mark the opening of the temporary exhibition titled “Plastics in the Sea? The Solution Is on LAND!”.

The event is co-organized by the Science and Technology Museum of the University of Patras and the French Institute of Greece in Patras, in collaboration with Primary Education of Achaia – Environmental Education and Health Education, within the framework of World Water Day and the International Day of La Francophonie.

During the event, Ms. Georgia Petropoulou-Conan, Director of the French Institute of Greece in Patras, will speak about Francophonie. The topic of the exhibition will be presented through talks by members of the University of Patras:

• “Plastics in the Greek Seas” – Giorgos Papatheodorou, Professor, Department of Geology
• “Plastic and Microplastic Pollution” – Chrysi Karapanagioti, Professor, Department of Chemistry
• “Microplastics: An Invisible Threat to Marine Ecosystems” – Andreas Tzachristas, Postdoctoral Researcher / Adjunct Lecturer, Department of Chemistry
• “Hidden Sources of Microplastics: The Case of Paints and Fabrics” – Chrysafenia Batsaoura, PhD Candidate, Department of Chemistry

Students from schools participating in the Health Education and Environmental Education Network with the Science and Technology Museum program “Water, a Source of Life, Responsibility, and Action” will present songs and performances highlighting the importance of water and seas for life, health, and the health of the planet.

The participating primary schools are: 6th Primary School, 32nd Primary School, and Aktaiou Primary School.

The event will conclude with the interactive game “Swimming in the Deep”, presented by Christina Malama, Geologist, MSc in Oceanography, Scientific Associate of the Laboratory of Marine Geology & Physical Oceanography, Department of Geology.

The temporary exhibition is organized by the Science and Technology Museum of the University of Patras and the French Institute of Greece in Patras. It opened on Tuesday, February 24, and will run until May 8, 2026.

The ocean covers three-quarters of our planet and hosted the first forms of life on Earth. Its vastness led us for a long time to believe that we could discard and take anything from it without real consequences. Today, it is urgent that we preserve and protect our resources and use the sea in a fair and sustainable way.

Through 11 posters, the exhibition presents the problems caused by plastics accumulating in the sea and proposes solutions for their fair and sustainable management. The exhibition is complemented by educational materials from the Science and Technology Museum and departments of the University of Patras.

Educational activities have been designed and are offered by the museum, by appointment, for primary and secondary education.

The exhibition is an initiative of the Tara Ocean Foundation.

Responsible for the implementation in Patras:
Georgia Petropoulou-Conan, French Institute of Greece in Patras

Responsible for the organization in Patras:
Peny Theologi-Gouti, Curator of the Science and Technology Museum.

PROGRAM