WetterWasserWaterkant: Inspiring Youth for Change
The WetterWasserWaterkant event has become a cornerstone for environmental education in Hamburg, fostering awareness and action among young people. Schools from across the city send their students to participate in interactive sessions, giving them a hands-on experience of topics surrounding climate change, environmental stewardship, and social responsibility.
In Mocean’s workshops were designed to ignite curiosity, provide practical knowledge, and inspire students to take the first steps in addressing one of the most pressing global issues—plastic pollution.
A Personal Journey to Encourage Action
Co-founder Nike Steiger shared her journey as a sailor and advocate for ocean health, offering a deeply personal lens on the issue of plastic waste. Having lived on her sailboat Karl for over a decade, she has witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of plastic pollution in coastal communities worldwide.
Her experiences, from remote beaches covered in trash to regions where waste management infrastructure is entirely absent, resonated with students. By sharing how her own journey began with one bold step—leaving a 9-to-5 lifestyle to embrace a more purpose-driven path—Nike illustrated how anyone can initiate meaningful change, even with limited resources.
Tackling Plastic Pollution Through Hands-On Learning
Step 1: Understanding the Problem
The workshop began with an engaging discussion about the scale of the plastic crisis and its root causes. Students learned about the challenges of waste management in regions without infrastructure, where burning plastic or leaving it in the environment are often the only options.
This led to thought-provoking conversations about the environmental and health consequences of such practices. Students quickly understood that solving the plastic crisis requires action on multiple levels—but that even local, small-scale efforts can be transformative.
Step 2: Turning Trash into Treasure
In the practical part of the workshop, students discovered how to identify different plastic types using a float test. They learned about plastic densities, melting points, and why proper sorting is crucial for recycling. The highlight was working with our Plastic Injection Machine, crafted by PlasticPreneur. Students transformed plastic waste into carabiners and spinning tops, experiencing the magic of turning trash into treasure. Each participant took home a recycled item, a tangible reminder of how plastic waste can become a valuable resource.
Step 3: Becoming a Change Maker
The other group worked on brainstorming ideas for launching a small-scale recycling project. Using a circular approach—collecting, sorting, recycling/upcycling, and selling—students created plans for systems they could implement at school or in their communities. The results were inspiring, with ideas ranging from school-wide collection drives to creative product concepts.
Both activities demonstrated that recycling doesn’t require expensive equipment or large-scale infrastructure. Instead, the students discovered that with creativity and determination, even simple tools could make a big difference.
Inspiring Grassroots Solutions
At In Mocean, we believe in starting small and building momentum through tangible, achievable steps. By introducing students to grassroots recycling methods, we aim to show that addressing environmental challenges is not just possible—it’s something they can do right now.
The excitement in the room was palpable as students crafted their first upcycled items. From colorful keychains to decorative bowls, they left the workshop with more than just knowledge—they gained confidence in their ability to make an impact.
Building a Movement for Change
These workshops are more than just educational sessions; they are the seeds of a movement. Every student who learns to see waste as a resource and understands the value of small, meaningful actions contributes to a larger wave of change.
Events like WetterWasserWaterkant remind us that youth engagement is crucial in tackling global challenges. When students are given the tools, knowledge, and confidence to act, their creativity and energy can lead to solutions that extend far beyond the classroom.
A Call to Action for Event Organizers and Educators
If you’re an educator or event organizer looking to inspire students through practical, solutions-driven workshops, we’d love to collaborate with you. At In Mocean, we specialize in bringing grassroots recycling solutions to schools and communities, empowering young people to take action and create change.
To learn more about our workshops or to partner with us, visit our website or contact us directly. Together, we can turn small steps into big change—and inspire the next generation to lead the way toward a more sustainable future.
