GAME integrates practice-oriented education for ECOPs with global research on human-induced changes in marine ecosystems. The GAME research agenda comprises topics from biodiversity research, invasion ecology and the pollution of marine benthic systems by plastic, light and noise. At the start of the project, all participants meet at GEOMAR in Kiel to prepare the experiments for one month. Master students then conduct identical experiments simultaneously in their bi-national teams (one member from the host country and one from a German university), under the guidance of renowned scientists from partner institutes worldwide. This is a period of six months. Later the teams return to GEOMAR to analyse and compare results. During this stage, students gain essential scientific skills under the guidance of GEOMAR scientists. This approach provides robust results and helps to discern ecological rules despite the omnipresent site/system-specific noise. This combination of innovative research and hands-on training makes GAME a standout example of effective research-based education for young scientists.