Wetlands: Observe Nature, Discover Europe, React Erasmus Project

Project Title

Wetlands: Observe Nature, Discover Europe, React

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: Civic engagement / responsible citizenship; Cultural heritage/European Year of Cultural Heritage; Early School Leaving / combating failure in education

Project Summary

The project entitled WONDER (Wetlands: Observe Nature, Discover Europe, React) aims to address a major problem: “How can future European citizens work together to discover, protect and prepare the future of wetlands?”. More than 150 middle school and primary school children from France, Estonia and Greece will exchange and meet to discuss and act on the theme of Ramsar classified wetlands.
The objectives are multiple. First of all, these young Europeans will develop knowledge and appropriation of their environment and be confronted with the environments of other young Europeans by going directly to the partner countries. This will make them aware of the specificity and richness of their own environment but also of all its possibilities for sustainable development. It will also contribute to the enhancement of the 30th anniversary of Ramsar designation of the Marais de la Sangsurière in France and the discovery of other Ramsar wetlands or those about to be designated: Soomaa National Park in Estonia, Kalloni and Polichnitos wetlands on the Greek island of Lesbos, Parc Naturel Régional Scarpe-Escaut in Northern France. In addition, this project encourages commitment by students over two years and cohesion among an entire age-group, including ULIS students (children with learning disabilities), in particular to combat early school leaving. Furthermore, the discovery spread over two years by an entire age-group of another European country will improve their written and oral communication skills in English and the exploration of other rare European cultures and languages, thus developing the construction of their European identity. The objective is to become aware of our various similarities, without denying our cultural specificities. Through these exchanges, students will produce a collaborative web documentary with partner schools that will improve their digital skills. The final product will help promote the different territories involved in the project.
Each year, all partners will discover the specificities of their own area and explore other European wetlands by exchanging through the eTwinning platform and visiting the countries involved. These exchanges and meetings will be an opportunity for students to play an active role in the preservation and development of their cultural and natural heritage in a European context. A successful project will develop self-esteem, curiosity, the desire to get involved in other school projects, greater solidarity between students and improvement of the school climate. Students will be able to develop and use skills at the service of a project that goes beyond the classroom and that will nourish their personal development. Their work will especially contribute to the celebration of the 30th anniversary of the Ramsar designation of the Sangsurière wetland and their web documentary will be widely distributed and used by tourism and environmental professionals, including natural parks.
In the long run, these young Europeans, more open to the world and ready for mobility, could pass on what they have learnt and understood about the importance of preserving the world in which they live.

Project Website

http://www.clgbarbey50.fr/webdoc_wonder_eng/

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 112548,4 Eur

Project Coordinator

Collège Barbey d’Aurevilly & Country: FR

Project Partners

• Ecole Primaire Langevin Wallon
• IMERISIO GYMNASIO AGIASOU LESVOU
• Tori Põhikool