Ecomates Erasmus Project

Project Title

Ecomates

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: Health and wellbeing; Environment and climate change; Social/environmental responsibility of educational institutions

Project Summary

Nowadays,the climate change is real posing a great threat to Earth.The environmental damage,caused by human actions,has devastating effects on the planet life and puts in fundamental danger the health of ecosystems.This planetary emergency motivated the collaboration of 6 educational institutions aiming to raise environmental awareness by introducing the 17 goals of sustainable development.It is well-known that children’s personality traits are determined in the preschool age.Therefore,the partner schools aim to play a pivotal role in the acquisition of inquiry skills of preschoolers,through STEAM activities combined with Robotics,which will stimulate their concern and change their attitude in favour of environment.Exploratory learning will become a great tool to investigate and observe the natural surroundings.Students will learn how to respect their natural heritage and protect the environment by acting.Little learners will have the opportunity to:detect environmental issues by visiting natural places or UNESCO World Heritage Sites,pose questions,make assumptions,find practical solutions,cooperate,use robotics to support their efforts,express their feelings through Art,get informed about renewable resources,manage their school waste, understand that they have equal opportunities etc.These activities focus on growing their desire to get involved in actions promoting reconnection with the environment.”Ecomates” will become responsible European Citizens,who understand the environmental risks and take care of the future of the planet by creating sustainable cities/villages.It is also important to develop cooperation with parents and the local community,as their support will maximize the project’s impact.
This partnership is composed of 6 kindergartens from Greece(two schools),Estonia,France,Spain and Portugal,located in urban and rural locations. Moreover, the target groups enrolled in each partner institution consist of 80teachers,800students,aged between 3-6 years old,including their parents.The joint activity plan is based on the 17 goals of sustainable development promoting ecological balance through individual,social and environmental well-being.All stakeholders will benefit from diverse opportunities to adopt a proactive ecological attitude.The project will be implemented during 2 years,starting from September 2020 until August 2022.The first-round activities will focus on the detection of environmental issues,with the title “Little Detectives”and the second-round activities,entitled “Little Citizens”,will concentrate on the preservation of valuable ecosystems.
In particular, the main objectives carried on will be based on the:
•communication between partner schools(share and exchange good practices);
•elaboration of joint activities(focusing on the acquisition of skills and competences);
•reconnection with the environment(visiting natural places, related professions, gardening etc.);
•insertion of STEAM education and Robotics in the school curriculum;
•collaboration with specialists, universities and non-profit organizations;
•monitoring progress of activities via collaborative posters, leaflets, brochures, magazines, newspapers etc.(enhancing ICT skills);
•creation of digital materials and announcement in the project’s social media pages;
•dissemination of project results;
•becoming members of Eco Schools(Green Flag)and
•foster a sense of European citizenship(environmental protection as a common purpose).
Brainstorming,peer-learning,discussion, experimentation, questioning,mimicking,storytelling,are some of the methods which teachers will use to ensure the adoptation of sensible habits.The partnership’s methodology will foster creativity and enable schools to raise responsible young persons.
The final products will be categorized in tangible material like leaflets,posters,brochures, magazines etc,and non-material such as videos, presentations, eBooks,digital stories etc,which will give merit to the organizations to become centers of the local community,while attracting their interest.
The referred outcomes,as well as the LTT activities,will maximize the impact of the project.To be exact,during the meetings teachers will have the opportunity to participate in training courses(seminars,workshops,teaching activities)which will be connected with the project goals and priorities,while raising their cultural awarenessThis collaboration will help teachers to improve the quality of preschool education through sharing experience,updating and enhancing teaching approaches.The project will be disseminated through the creation of eTwinning project and social media pages,boosting community’s involvement.
We hope that we will improve our institutional effectiveness by becoming local centers and developing E.U. projects and reframing the vision of school policy for environmental education.Our project is based on the famous words of Nelson Mandela “It always seems impossible until it’s done”.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 3250 Eur

Project Coordinator

NIPIAGOGIO AVLONARIOU & Country: EL

Project Partners

• EBI Francisco Ferreira Drummond
• CEIP Alfonso VI
• Tallinna Sõbrakese Lasteaed
• 1st Nipiagogio Loutra Edipsos
• ECOLE FRANCOIS D’ESTOUTEVILLE LONGUEIL