CC BOOT CAMP: SUSTAINABILITY AND CAMARADERIE IN THE FRENCH RIVIERA

Community College in France Bootcamp (CCIF) Programs are culturally immersive, project-based learning experiences on sustainable development and ecology. The 2023 program in La Ciotat, a coastal community on the ‘Azure Coast’ of France, was focused on Marine Sustainability in this time of climate change. This experiential learning opportunity was a collaborative effort hosted by segments of Aix Marseille University – the University Institute of Technology, the Pythéas Institute, and the Mediterranean Institute of Oceanography (Mio). A Polk State College professor served as a program administrator to provide environmental geoscience context of current and historical marine ecological challenges from various perspectives (technology, economy, history and more). A multidisciplinary approach included classroom, field, and shipboard activities to provide instruction; but also, exposure to cityscapes and local cuisine for cultural immersion. Students hiked island features, puddingstone formations, and calanques to understand the connectivity of hydrologic systems.

Research overviews included specifics of marine impacts as they relate to Climate Change: Life cycles of Posidonia seagrasses and microalgae; mass mortality events of gorgonians, coral and sponge species; and planktonic, nektonic, and sessile species coping with tropicalization of the Mediterranean Sea. Students perused colloborative databases such as T-MEDNet to understand the importance of well-managed long-term and high-resolution monitoring to support international maritime protection planning. Post-lecture program highlights included geological features, reef dynamics, urban and marine planning, ongoing research, and studies on France’s first land-and-sea preserve. Cumulative transversal skills were demonstrated by student multimedia presentations.