Eat Right, Be Bright! Erasmus Project

Project Title

Eat Right, Be Bright!

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 : Strategic Partnerships for Schools Only

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2015

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Social dialogue; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning; Health and wellbeing

Project Summary

“A number of family-related factors such as family instability and lifestyle, single parenthood, poor living conditions, physical and mental health and domestic violence can increase young people’s likelihood of giving up education and training prematurely. Other family-related factors such as parent-child relationships and parental involvement in children’s education can also play role.” (European Parliament, 2011).
Relating to the statement our primary objective in this project was healthy lifestyles, and we can affirm that it contributed directly to curricular expectations in all partner countries which was linked with the development of a healthy attitude towards learning. During the implementation and the completion of the thirteen activities that took place within the two years of the Erasmus+ Eat Right, Be Bright -project our pupils and families became familiar with the importance of healthy lifestyles. The project and its activities enabled the schools to look at issues that are normally hidden behind curricular subjects but affect the integrity of children and staff. The project provided the schools with new tools, a different vision and different ways to face challenges.
As the project was created, the partners: Finland (coordinator), Italy, Poland, Denmark and Turkey agreed that improving health should be a priority achievement within their communities as this was an area requiring attention. The targets were set individually by each partner school and the survey was conducted both in the beginning and the end of the project to assess its impact. The data gathered from the survey demonstrated that the project has had a positive effect on the pupils, staff, parents and the wider community. The project was well managed with good communication between the partners and open and cohesive approach which cascaded into the individual communities. All partner schools were equally involved in each phase of the project activities (planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation). Every school appointed a project representative who was in contact with the project coordinator in order to receive related tasks and responsibilities, and distributed them to the project team.
Combating obesity is a key objective of Europe 2020 as 17% of European citizens are reported as being overweight. The project addressed nutrition successfully. A number of innovative approaches were implemented within the schools to incorporate more fruit and vegetables into the diet of students, families and staff. The schools held Take and taste -days for the students, the students were taught to follow simple healthy recipes and lessons encouraging the research of foods and diaries of meals were undertaken. Workshops and lectures were held on every LTT meeting to inform and educate the participants on the benefits of healthy diets, such as the Mediterranean diet, and this information was disseminated amongst partner schools on their return.
Physically active lifestyles are also a key target of the Europe 2020 policy to increase the health of European citizens. The project had a positive effect on this through a variety of methods, e.g. increasing physical activity during the school day (games, sport activities during the breaks), extra-curricular sport activities, disseminating information about different sports etc. For example Laivakangas school has joined a national action programme Finnish Schools on the Move which aims to establish a physically active culture in Finnish comprehensive schools.
The project outcomes impacted directly on healthy lifestyles through the use of new methodologies from the sharing of good practice and implementing them in our school communities. The students adopted a healthier lifestyle which can be demonstrated by the comparison of the questionnaire completed in the beginning and the end of the project. In addition, they familiarized themselves with different countries and cultures and made lifelong friends. The teachers developed their professional skills by exchanging ideas, teaching methods, know-how and experiences with teachers from other countries. The main products of the project are the web page: http://www.erasmuspluseatrightbebright.com/ which also includes a cookbook presenting traditional recipes from each participant country.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 136386 Eur

Project Coordinator

Laivakankaan koulu & Country: FI

Project Partners

• ISTITUTO COMPRENSIVO ALFONSO GATTO
• 100.YEAR ATATÜRK SECONDARY SCHOOL
• Erich-Fried-Gesamtschule
• Zespol Szkol Gastronomiczno-Hotelarskich
• Skelgårdsskolen