Written by Tanisha Cardozo || Team Allycaral
From Goa’s coastline to a landlocked city, a children’s art initiative developed by the Goa-based Children’s Art Studio and co-supported by the Museum of Goa is carrying marine education beyond the sea. Phytoplankton World: The Unseen Heroes of Marine Life will be presented in Bengaluru from January 16 to 25 at Freedom Park as part of Makkala Hubba under the larger BLR Hubba cultural festival.
Rooted in Goa’s coastal ecology, the immersive project introduces children to phytoplankton—microscopic marine organisms that form the foundation of ocean life and play a crucial role in regulating the Earth’s climate. Designed for children aged four to twelve, the experience transforms complex marine science into accessible learning through glow-in-the-dark installations, sensory environments and hands-on creative activities, reflecting how Goa’s close relationship with the sea can inspire environmental learning far beyond its shores.
Aligned with the philosophy of Makkala Hubba, a children-focused platform known for its emphasis on climate awareness and sensorial engagement, the project invites young visitors into an underwater-inspired space where curiosity drives learning and exploration unfolds through making and play.
Sharada Kerkar, Director of the Museum of Goa and Co-Founder of the Children’s Art Studio, said the project originated from a personal encounter with bioluminescence. She recalled kayaking at night in Vasco and witnessing the sea glow in shades of green and blue, caused by phytoplankton. The experience, she said, sparked a desire to create glowing environments that others could experience while learning about these unseen marine heroes.
The project evolved through extensive research into various types of phytoplankton and their forms, which were visualised at an enlarged scale through sketches, digital 3D imagery and architectural models. The team experimented with glow-in-the-dark and reusable materials to suit the underwater theme, eventually shaping an immersive environment that guides children through a layered learning journey.
Artist and educator Tincy Paulose from the Children’s Art Studio described the creative process as deeply engaging, noting that working with glowing materials brought out a sense of wonder and play. She said the project went beyond art-making, becoming a space for discovery and learning about the fascinating world of microscopic marine life.
Two guided workshops form a central part of the programme. Glow Beneath the Sea allows children to create glowing sea creatures while learning about the marine food chain and the foundational role of phytoplankton. Glow Microscopic Worlds encourages participants to imagine and design glowing phytoplankton inspired by organisms such as diatoms, dinoflagellates, cyanobacteria and coccolithophores, translating scientific knowledge into creative expression.
