Izmir students earn scuba‑diving experience as reward for cleaning up waste

In İzmir, a environmental‑education program rewarded students who collected litter and completed an online course with a scuba‑diving experience. Instructor Arzu Arslan of the Karaburun Diving Centre organized the activity to raise awareness of plastic pollution on World Environment and World Ocean Days. From a pool of 300 participants, a lottery selected two students for a full‑tube dive and four for a mermaid‑style dive at Bodrum Bay, Karaburun. The children received basic training before the dive and observed colorful marine life while also picking up debris underwater. Arslan said the reward was "a beautiful grade‑book prize" and emphasized that “children are our future, they will protect the seas.” The event aimed to turn classroom lessons into a memorable hands‑on lesson about the long‑lasting impact of plastic waste.

The program highlighted the link between everyday littering and ocean health, urging participants to spread the message to peers.