How to become a responsible eco-citizen in contemporary Europe Erasmus Project

Project Title

How to become a responsible eco-citizen in contemporary Europe

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 2018

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Cultural heritage/European Year of Cultural Heritage; Teaching and learning of foreign languages; Environment and climate change

Project Summary

The implemented project was a response to imperfect ecological education and the students’ lack of awareness of biodiversity. As ecological problems cross national borders, we decided that corrective actions must be international. The project combined strictly scientific research, eg learning to conduct air pollution research with the use of the lichen method, with activities aimed at changing the attitudes of students, teachers and local communities in the issue of ecology. A great achievement of the project is the preparation of a report on the level of air pollution and the interest in it of local authorities (Przasnysz), as well as changing the work plans of schools (France, Germany) and the preventive and educational program (Poland) to include pro-ecological activities).
Among important goals achieved in the project there are also: a) increasing knowledge in the field of biodiversity protection and awareness of the existing ecological threats and the possibility of reducing them in local environments b) increasing the language skills of students (measured with tests before and after the project) c) increasing the level of knowledge of ICT tools by both students and teachers d) increasing knowledge about the culture and natural heritage of partner countries e) permanent change of pro-ecological attitudes of students and teachers g) dissemination of ecological knowledge by project participants both in school environments and in the local community; h) shaping an attitude of openness to other cultures. 120 students (15-18 years old) from three schools directly participated in the project:French (high school in Sant-Maixent), German (Kaethe-Kollwitz Gymnasium) and Polish (KEN High School in Przasnysz). Several hundred students participated in the project indirectly (eg through participation in lectures and various school activities). Diverse student environments (Polish and French schools – towns located far from the metropolis, German school – metropolitan environment with a strong migration accent) allowed participants to learn about the specificity of ecological problems both in non-urbanized areas and large cities.
The project implemented three main activities related to learning, teaching or training (March 2019 – France, October 2019 – Germany and March 2020 – Poland). Due to the coronavirus pandemic the implementation of the third mobility was moved to the Internet. The students worked in international groups on the activities planned during the mobility. Everything was achieved, except for the practical environmental action (forest planting) and the city event “Clean Air Day” (both will be implemented when the epidemiological situation allows). Project members also worked in international groups in the periods between mobility. In this way, they created the planned products: an electronic version of a dictionary of ecological terms,a culinary publication (in 4 languages) with traditional recipes from the participating countries, as well as films documenting the work for the environment. They used ICT tools and internet connections for this. Participants used scientific methodologies appropriate for ecological projects (workshops on air pollution research methodology),
The project was interdisciplinary in nature, it combined the ecological aspect with knowledge of biology and geography (including biodiversity, systematics of insects and plants, nature reserves), history of art (places of historical and cultural importance), foreign languages (English as the language of the project), information and computer technology.
Thanks to the implementation of this project, an attitude of openness to the cultural diversity of other nations was built among the project participants, and their peers. Despite the long-term European integration and the efforts of many institutions, there is still a high level of stereotypical thinking, also among young people. There is only one way to increase openness to the cultural diversity of nations, namely, as many interpersonal contacts as possible. Among other things, thanks to this project, the level of anonymity of other nations has been reduced – through the accommodation of students with host families, everyday contacts, exchange of views and joint activities.
From the perspective of the implemented project, it is clearly visible that it brought a permanent change in the model of teaching ecology in partner schools (entries in school documentation), and resulted in assigning the appropriate importance to the ecological subject. On the other hand, the creation of an ecological report on the state of air in Przasnysz, as well as establishing cooperation with local self-governments and pro-ecological organizations, resulted in schools becoming partners closely cooperating with local authorities. The project also proved the ability of schools to establish permanent international cooperation, which increased their rank and attractiveness in the local environment.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 76435 Eur

Project Coordinator

Liceum Ogolnoksztalcace im. Komisji Edukacji Narodowej & Country: PL

Project Partners

• Lycée du Haut Val de Sevre
• Staedt. Kaethe-Kollwitz-Gymnasium