Inspired by nature Erasmus Project

Project Title

Inspired by nature

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : School Exchange Partnerships

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Access for disadvantaged; Environment and climate change; Energy and resources

Project Summary

Slowly people are starting to feel the effects of climate change. This topic was discussed at all 3 participating schools and caused concern. The students at the school in Kaufering repeatedly experience droughts and the record temperatures in summer. In the Liguria region, in recent years and especially this winter, the students have witnessed torrential rains with landslides and destruction that had not occurred for centuries; in Iceland the melting of the glaciers is progressing to a degree, visible with the naked eye. To counteract these changes and to actively work on improving the situation, actions have to be taken. From our experience, we are convinced that well-founded information in school already results in small changes in behavior. However, direct application and integration of this knowledge into one’s own living environment is even more effective. By combining practical activities in the vicinity of the school and the creation of a corresponding theoretical basis in the classroom (pars pro totos), we achieve an understanding of mechanisms in nature and an emotional relationship with nature based on the following projects. School Oasis, Olive Grove and Water Feature, focus on a responsible way of life and a global perspective through activities in different climates. Due to the emergence of technical questions during the realization of the projects, all connected aspects like workshops, own research, as well as lectures in science and technology will be experienced and understood as something that is important for such a project and in also everyday life. The joint implementation of the projects and the creation of biotopes and enjoyable environments in the vicinity of the schools make it possible to experience that one can change the environment sustainably through one’s own actions and is not forced into the role of the often critical but passive spectator. In particular, one’s own attempts to unseal and convert lifeless areas into small living spaces, to cultivate gardens and groves (in Germany and Italy) and find out about the diversity, self-regulation and adaptation of wild and self-contained landscapes (in Iceland) make it tangible how diverse and complex the interrelations of nature are and how precious and delicate a natural balance is.
Through the appreciation of one’s own environment as a cultural area through the renaturation of the school environment or the recultivation of an olive grove, the involvement of parents, older villagers and experts to learn cultural techniques, the scientific preparation in the classroom, the exploration and comparison of regional stories about nature, the practical involvement of the project partners in this work and the public relations work will all increase the reputation of the educational work of the school, as well as contribute to the integration of the school in the village/town, region and Europe and elevate the school’s self-confidence.
Students between the ages of 12 and 15 will be involved. Eight students from each school are allowed to travel to the project meetings. The students will be selected according to their commitment to the project work groups. At every school, however, the number of students and teachers involved in all activities is as large as possible.
Specifically, the student will contribute on establishing a school oasis with a fountain in Kaufering, the recultivation of an olive grove in Ceriana and a water feature in the school playground in Isafjördur. The practical projects are promoted jointly during the project meetings, but also by each school individually in between the meetings. The theoretical knowledge acquisition takes place directly in the specialized lessons as well as within working groups and in workshops during the meetings.
Working groups from the 3 schools regularly exchange information online. Using chat, discussion groups and online conferences, research and planned activities as well as partial aspects of the implementation of projects are discussed. A film documentation of the work over the two years, exhibitions at the participating schools and accompanying press work will be used for public relations.
With this approach, we will be able to implement the ideas of climate and environmental protection, social inclusion, the strengthening of the natural sciences in everyday learning, and above all the idea of European cooperation and solidarity, firmly and profoundly among the participating students.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 85824 Eur

Project Coordinator

Mittelschule Kaufering & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Istituto Comprensivo Sanremo Levante
• Grunnskolinn a Isafirdi