Extending the Nexus Island teaching resource with Earth observation data

Credit: ESA/ATG Medialab

We are pleased to announce the release of the Nexus Island ESA Extension, developed through a fruitful collaboration with the European Space Agency (ESA) to further enrich science teaching on ecosystem health and environmental monitoring.

Building on the original Nexus Island resource, the ESA Extension introduces learners to inquiry-based learning supported by real in-situ measurements and Earth Observation data from ESA satellites. Students explore how satellite data are used to monitor ecosystems, assess biodiversity, and understand the impact of natural and human-driven change.

Inspired by the TREC (TRaversing European Coastlines) scientific mission led by EMBL with contributions from ESA, the resource places students in the role of scientific explorers. Through a game-based approach, learners investigate diverse environments on Nexus Island- Nature, City, Agriculture, and Industry, mirroring real-world research into ecosystem health and resilience.

The Nexus Island ESA Extension also highlights the role of the European Union’s Copernicus Earth Observation Programme in providing open data to monitor our planet for the benefit of European citizens.

The resource is now available for download and can be used by teachers and educators to support data-driven learning, scientific literacy, and discussions around real-world environmental challenges.

Access the resource here:

Nexus Island ESA Extension