Department of Environment, University of the Aegean

Discover ecosystems: workshops by Dr Andromachi Bouna Valia and Archontoula Koskeridi

Action title: Discover ecosystems

An experiential workshop where children first come into contact with nature through their senses. For this purpose, they are divided into groups and share materials from different types of ecosystems. Then, using cards, they learn how an ecosystem is organised and how human activities affect it. They discuss the role of species within the ecosystem and the effects of fires and pollution on their balance. The activity is concluded by completing a quiz where children test their knowledge.



Andromachi Bouna-Vaila studied Social Anthropology and History at the University of the Aegean and holds two master's and doctoral degrees in the field of "Sociology of Education and Gender" from the University of Ioannina.

Today she is a lecturer at the University of the Aegean. Her research interests and writing work focus on issues of social and educational differences.


Archontoula Koskeridi studied Oceanography and Marine Biosciences at the University of the Aegean. She is currently a graduate of the Master's degree in Bioeconomy, Circular Economy and Sustainable Development at the University of Piraeus. Her research interests and writing work focus on sustainability, tourism structures and marine conservation.

Department of Environment, University of the Aegean
The Department was founded in 1984, based in Mytilene, Lesvos, under the title of Department of Natural Environmental Sciences and was one of the first departments of the University of the Aegean. It first accepted postgraduate students in 1986 and undergraduate students in 1987. In 1989 it was renamed to Department of Environment and in January 2004 it joined, together with the Department of Marine Sciences, the first established School of Environment in the country.
The main objectives of the Department of Environment are education and research in a wide range of disciplines including, among others, ecology, economics, education, politics, environmental engineering and energy.