The first course of this year's Senior Academy semester at the UNESCO World Heritage Wadden Sea Visitor Centre in Wilhelmshaven took place from 19 to 20 June 2014. Staff from the Marine Sensor Systems working group at the ICBM site in Wilhelmshaven organised the course entitled "From plankton to oil: measuring with light in science and citizen science".

The first day started with a theoretical study unit on the measurement of microscopic algae cells, suspended matter and dissolved material in water. The focus was on different sensors and sensor systems that can detect the constituents of water. These "eyes and ears" of the scientists are mounted on satellites in near-Earth space as well as on underwater vehicles. Simple measurements were also carried out during the course. These included determining the so-called Secchi depth or comparing the water colour with the Forel-Ule scale, which interested citizens can do themselves.

On the second day, a research trip with the ICBM research vessel Otzum was on the agenda. In the Jade Bay, the senior students braved waves, wind and rain so that nothing stood in the way of taking measurements at the Arngast lighthouse. The course participants learnt that adverse external conditions and a certain calmness in working with them are also part of science. At the end, the organisers thanked the senior students for a great course and wished them a lot of fun for the next part of the course in mid-July: The East Frisian Islands - a dynamic habitat in the Wadden Sea (15 and 22 July with PD Dr Holger Freund).