Let`s save water as a natural resource Erasmus Project

Project Title

Let`s save water as a natural resource

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 2019

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Environment and climate change; Natural sciences; Social/environmental responsibility of educational institutions

Project Summary

“Let`s save water as a natural resource” is a project that promotes and develops ideas for saving water as a natural resource, by promoting and developing knowledge, skills and competences for saving and protecting water as both local and common European resource, for 3620 students between the ages of 11 and 15. The partner schools are from 6 countries from 3 different regions in Europe: East Europe (Bulgaria, Romania), Central Europe (Spain, Portugal, Italy) and South Europe (Turkey). Achieved project results will affect in saving water resources in local, national and international aspect.
In recent years many studies have highlighted an alarming statistics on the harmful effects of human activity and climate change on the Earth`s water resources. The school has an important role in educating environmental culture.
The project aims to involve students in sustainable solving the environmental problems on water resources (shortage, droughts, floods, pollution) which will have long-term effect.
The project activities aim to increase students` knowledge, skills and competencies about their environmental footprint as well as protection water as a significant factor for the environmental balance. The activities will also increase students’ interest and learning motivation in the field of natural studies and STEM according to the European Union 2020 objectives. European Commission aimed to strength “basic skills” and “key competences” in EU member states for sustainable development and educational growth. In the line of this strategy redardless of background and abilities of children, we aim to improve their “basic skills” as science, technology, maths and language literacy, “key competences” as knowledge, skills and attitude helping learners to find personal development and will affect their future life in a positive way. The project will also improve students` foreign language, ICT and communication skills, will increase their civic responsibility and sense of belonging to European community.
A contribution of the project will be integration of environmental and STEM subjects into the school curriculum where they are not covered enough.
The project is innovative because of applying STEM education which encourages students` studying by co-experience,doing experiments,critical thinking in problem solving.The project also provides cooperation between schools and some institutions(university, natural science institutes,museums nature parks,local authorities etc). Planned activities are attractive and will motivate students to participate. Moreover taking parents into activities not only gives them the opportunity to engage in the excitement of science learning but also helps them to learn how to support their children in future academic and career pursuits.
Project activities are mainly focused on:
-brainstorming activities, workshops, learning sessions, happenings, group activities, debates, studies,role games,group games,individual study
-visiting institutions
-STEM activities- doing scientific experiments, making models, solving problems using Engineering Design Circle
Project activities will develop students` responsibility, to be active and to interact with adults, to seek and offer solutions, because the water crisis is not inevitable if we act now and if we act together. Through this project pupils and teachers from several European countries will join efforts in the study and conservation of water resources, familiarize themselves with the measures taken at local, national and European level. Applying the STEM approach will teach them to explore different types of water sources and different technical facilities that work with water as well as construct models of some of them. They will learn to calculate their water footprint. They will realize that there are many different countries in Europe, each with its own culture and traditions but with a common interest in preserving the water and environment on the continent and on the Earth.
Results will be printed brochures, two e-books,blue box of games, video files, chain story, creations from students (models, constructions, PPTs, drawings, pictures, posters, art, essays).
Impact on direct beneficiaries: improved attitude towards water and nature in general, acquiring abilities for sustainable development and improving the quality of life.
Impact on indirect beneficiaries: better awareness of interdependence in nature, increased environmental saving skills, a better European community.
The project will contribute on a local, national and international level to promote and develop caring European citizens.

Project Website

http://yovkovschoolvarna.bg/letssavewater/home-page

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 160408 Eur

Project Coordinator

Osnovno uchiliste “Yordan Yovkov” & Country: BG

Project Partners

• Agrupamento de Escolas Dra Laura Ayres
• IES Maestro Padilla
• Scuola Secondaria di Primo Grado Antonino De Stefano
• Scoala Gimnaziala Nr 12
• Kardelen Ortaokulu