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In Izmir, students who completed an environmental education program and collected waste were rewarded with a free dive in Karaburun, where they saw marine life up close and helped clean trash from the sea.
The activity was organized by Arzu Arslan, an instructIzmir Students Rewarded with Diving Trip for Environmental Effortsor at Karaburun Diving Center, as part of events linked to World Environment Day and World Oceans Day. Arslan gave students at Karsiyaka Eren Sahin Eronat Middle School training on how waste affects seas and marine animals.
After the session, she set up a reward for students who finished an online international environmental education program and collected waste around their school.
Out of 300 students, two were chosen by lottery for scuba diving, while four others earned a separate "mermaid diving" experience.
Before entering the water, the students received basic training from instructors at Karaburun Diving Center. They then carried out their dives at Bodrum Cove in the Karaburun district.
During the experience, the children observed marine life and also collected waste they found underwater. The activity turned an environmental lesson into a direct encounter with the sea and gave the students a practical example of why marine protection matters.
Arslan said she wanted the children to understand the issue beyond the classroom, noting that theory becomes stronger when it is supported by real experiences.
Arslan said the students had learned about the harm plastic waste causes to seas and marine animals, and she hoped they would share the experience with their friends to spread awareness further.
She also pointed out that plastic waste does not disappear from nature for many years and stressed that children will be among those responsible for protecting the seas in the future. She said waste thrown into the environment can eventually make its way back to people, including through food.
Karaburun Diving Center owner and diving instructor Hamdullah Aras said the future was in children's hands and added that seeing them enjoy diving while also caring for the environment was valuable for the instructors as well.
One of the students, Yagiz Sullu, said he went scuba diving and saw fish underwater, describing the experience as both fun and exciting.
Duru Erdemir said she was happy to see marine animals up close and explained that the children had come across several plastic bags during the dive.
Another student, Defne Futaci, took part in the mermaid diving activity and said she had enjoyed the experience.
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