From fossil to green: learning from our heritage to grow in a shared future Erasmus Project

Project Title

From fossil to green: learning from our heritage to grow in a shared future

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; Energy and resources; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

In this project, two schools are involved. These schools were brought together by their shared migration history. This shared history is the starting point for the aims of this project. The first goal was to work on a better knowledge of our cultural heritage through an elaborate and sustainable local and international network between generations. We believe very strongly in this goal as this side of the project comes forth from a concrete need in our communities. Both regions are inhabited by former miners who worked in the Belgian coal mines. Some of these miners decided to stay in Belgium after the mines closed, but another part felt the need to move back to their hometowns in the region of Abruzzo, Italy. Because this shared history is such an important part in the identities of both regions, these former miners are the living proof of the value of cultural heritage. For them it is extremely important that this common history is also passed on to younger generations as both cultures are still intertwined in both regions. Furthermore, the project created an open-minded perspective on important challenges of today’s society such as migration, refugees, identity, …
A second side of the project linked the past to the future. Starting from fossil energy (coal mining history), leading to the need for more knowledge and educational methodologies to teach and handle environmental issues. Doing research on these topics, sharing information with another science oriented school, and working closely together with external partners, generatee interesting and profitable opportunities to become stronger in the future. As a result not only will both schools develop a higher level of education (climate workshops, network with local partners), we also raised awareness and motivated teenagers’ interest in topics such as climate change, new types of energy and sustainable resources.

The main objective of this project, which brings both the cultural and the environmental sides together, was to enhance opportunities for all partners involved. Students aged 16-18 got a better understanding of their own identity, they gained a better perspective on the topic of migration nowadays and finally, they did research about and used the expertise of external partned to gain insight in important topics related to climate change. Students, schools, local communities and external partners will benefit from this cooperation. The school is able to enforce it’s scientific profile, is compelled to deal with cultural differences, which also is a hot topic in everyday life, and can rely on the networks established. External partners (such as associations for elderly people, often with a migration background; local councils, local innovative start-ups in the field of new energy, …) can tell their story to a wide audience and can also use a large network to organise activities to ensure that the projects’ results are used in the future. Because of the coronovirus, this last part of the project was less elaborate than planned. Arrangements had been made with local partners, but not all activities took place (e.g. workshops in Greenville).

During school year 2018-2019 the project focused on our first objective: preserving cultural heritage. This happened according the following methodology: an alternation between project work (research, creating products: e.g. photopresentations, videos, … ) carried out in each school and an exchange to one of the schools. The preparatory work done in each school, was shared on eTwinning. This was the starting point for more extensive ‘products’ during each exchange (e.g. presentations, time capsule, …). These real life meetings were also an important moments for interim evaluations, during which teachers could address all necessary items.
During school year 2019-2020 the results from the first year were presented to a new group of students who focused on the second objective: environmental issues and green energy. The plan was to use the same alternating methodology,focused more ecology and climate change, partly provided by external partners who are experts in this topic. Unfortunately some difficulties occurred: new managerial staff in the Italian school and the coronavirus caused some major challenges.

The title of this project ‘From Fossil to Green’ can be interpreted in different complementary ways. First, the influence from the past (reasons for and consequences of migration) on the present and future (the influence of migration on today’s society and people’s personal identity). Second, the journey from fossil energy to the necessity of sustainable, green energy sources. A third interpretation is that history is passed on between those who experienced it in real life, to youngsters who are on the path to becoming responsible citizens, facing todays’ challenges, both in the field of cultural differences and ecological issues.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 32458 Eur

Project Coordinator

Inspirocollege & Country: BE

Project Partners

• Liceo Scientifico Corradino D’Ascanio