Lighthouses and bridges - connecting marine science and public engagement

Today, a target group-specific concept to address different stakeholders is crucial for successful science communication. Increasing awareness of the three global challenges biodiversity loss, climate change and pollution in marine environments can only be successful by using the right communication tools. The Marine Station on Helgoland (Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, BAH) operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar- and Marine Research is a perfect spot to engage with the public as the island Heligoland in the North Sea as a touristic hotspot. Founded in 1892, the BAH has always been a bridge between modern marine science and society as a focal point not only for visiting scientists, but also for the up to 2500 daily tourists in summer on a one square kilometre “big” island. In 1902, the public aquarium of the station was built to present the marine environment to the public. The new Bluehouse Helgoland is the successor combining different ways of science communication and edutainment to address different stakeholders.The Bluehouse Helgoland is a marine aquarium and exhibition centre, which also serves as hub for the Bluehouse Marine Academy. The Bluehouse Marine Academy hosts the school laboratory OPENSEA as extracurricular place of learning for school kids. The Bluehouse Marine Academy hosts as well university courses from European Universities for students, workshops and practical courses on marine environments for adults, especially as an educational holiday, art and science weekends as cooperation with artists and science talks as well. By this, the Bluehouse is able to address different stakeholder groups according to their needs and preferences. We want to address the urging marine topics to political decision makers, multiplicators such as teachers, or people engaging in their local communities, schoolkids and students as well as tourists visiting the island Helgoland to inspire future generations of ocean leaders.