At the International School of Nice (ISN), learning extends beyond the classroom — and the Marine Learning Hub takes that idea to heart. This unique space invites students to explore and understand the ocean that borders their school, connecting science learning to sustainability and real-world action.
We spoke with Mélanie Laroche, ISN’s Science Coordinator and Sustainability and Eco School Coordinator, to find out more about how the Marine Learning Hub supports student learning and what makes it such a special part of life at ISN.
Q1. The Marine Learning Hub is one of ISN’s standout spaces. Can you tell us what it is and what inspired its creation?
Mélanie: The Hub was created to bring the ocean into the classroom and help students understand our close connection to the Mediterranean. It’s a space where they can explore marine science, sustainability, and conservation through interactive learning. Living so close to the sea, we wanted students to develop curiosity and respect for the environment, to see how what they learn in science has a real impact on the world around them.
Q2. How does the Hub help students connect science lessons to real-world issues, especially those linked to our local Mediterranean environment?
Mélanie: The Mediterranean is an extraordinary living laboratory for our students. Through the Hub, they explore marine ecosystems firsthand, observing biodiversity, analysing water samples, and investigating issues like plastic pollution, rising sea temperatures, and habitat loss. These experiences are then connected back to classroom learning, helping students interpret real environmental data and reflect on the human impact on the sea. The Hub bridges theory and reality, deepening scientific understanding while fostering critical thinking and a sense of stewardship for our local marine environment.
Q3. What kinds of activities or projects do students do in the Hub — and how do these bring science to life beyond textbooks?
Mélanie: The Marine Learning Hub is a space for inquiry, discovery, and collaboration. Students engage in hands-on activities such as identifying Mediterranean marine species, analysing plankton samples under microscopes, or designing models to understand ocean currents. They research sustainable solutions, take part in creative awareness projects, and work with data collected from field trips along the coast. By linking scientific methods to real-world contexts, the Hub transforms abstract concepts into tangible experiences, making learning dynamic and meaningful.
Q4. The Hub is part of ISN’s “Flood the School” programme and Blue School certification. What does that mean for our students’ learning experience?
Mélanie: “Flood the School” is a whole-school initiative that integrates ocean literacy across all subjects. It’s part of the European Blue School Certification, which recognises schools that connect students with the sea through education and action. This means that marine themes appear not only in science, but in art, languages, and social studies, helping students understand the ocean’s importance from different perspectives.
Q5. How is the Hub used across different year groups? Is it just for secondary students, or do younger learners also take part?
Mélanie: It’s for everyone! Younger children start by discovering the sea through sensory exploration, touching shells, creating Posidonia crowns, and observing marine life. As they progress, they move toward more analytical and research-based projects such as fish identification, oceanography, and marine conservation. Each year builds on the previous one, ensuring a continuous and evolving learning journey that grows with the students.
Q6. Sustainability is a big focus at ISN. How does the Hub encourage students to care for the environment and take action?
Mélanie: Sustainability is at the heart of the Hub. Students learn not only about environmental challenges but also how to take meaningful action. They participate in local initiatives such as beach clean-ups, biodiversity monitoring, and awareness campaigns in collaboration with our community partners (CDMM, TAF, IMEV, and others). Through these experiences, students develop empathy, responsibility, and the confidence to act as environmental ambassadors, applying what they learn to make a positive impact both locally and globally.
Q7. Can you share an example of a memorable student project or discovery that happened in the Marine Learning Hub?
Mélanie: One particularly memorable project involved students investigating the impact of plastic waste along the Mediterranean coast. They conducted real fieldwork — collecting, sorting, and analysing samples — before creating awareness posters and presenting their findings to the school community. The experience connected scientific inquiry with creativity and advocacy, empowering students to become active environmental communicators. Seeing their curiosity evolve into concrete action captured the true spirit of the Hub: transforming knowledge into environmental responsibility.
Q8. Finally, what do you think sets ISN apart when it comes to hands-on, meaningful science learning?
Mélanie: At ISN, science education goes beyond the classroom: it’s experiential, interdisciplinary, and connected to real-world issues. We encourage students to explore, question, and collaborate while engaging directly with their environment. The Marine Learning Hub embodies this philosophy: it links scientific concepts to the Mediterranean ecosystem, fosters creativity through research and projects, and nurtures a sense of purpose. What sets ISN apart is how we help students see themselves not just as learners, but as young changemakers shaping a more sustainable future.
At ISN, the Marine Learning Hub represents more than a state-of-the-art science space — it reflects the school’s belief that learning should inspire action. By connecting students to the Mediterranean and global sustainability goals, ISN empowers young people to think critically, act responsibly, and lead with purpose.<
Come and see the Marine Learning Hub for yourself. Book a private tour or join one of our upcoming Open Mornings to discover how ISN’s hands-on approach to learning helps students thrive — in the classroom, in our community, and beyond.
