Healthy Generation Erasmus Project

Project Title

Healthy Generation

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 2017

Project Topics

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

Project Summary

Based on worrying data on sedentary lifestyle, the amount of time spent on computers and mobile phones, unhealthy diet and the increase in obesity among children and young people, we have undertaken a project in which we decided to influence this situation in our schools. We created a partnership of three schools where the situation was very similar. Our main goal was to raise our students’ awareness of the causes and consequences of obesity and to show them the way how to improve their own lifestyles. We started from an initial analysis that indicated a lack of regular movement among youngsters in all partner countries and identifying that the weight of almost one fifth of our school pupils is not ideal. We included running, workout and games in our school schedule. We realised many activities to promote healthy eating and at the end of the project period we decided to measure the changes achieved.
We divided the theme of healthy lifestyle into three sub-themes, which we focused on in school project activities and on learning and training activities.
1. SK-C1- European cuisine
2. GRC-C2- Unhealthy food versus healthy
3. RO-C3- Benefits of sport and physical activity
Pupils learnt about partner countries, compared cuisines, food, lifestyles and popular sports. The program of each learning and training activity was focused on one sport that the pupils practiced under the supervision of coaches and instructors. In Slovakia, participants learnt to ski and team activities were focused on preparing traditional meals. Pupils compared European cuisines and their contribution to longevity. In Greece, students attended athletic training. Teamwork was focused on preparing healthy recipes. In Romania, students played basketball, presented traditional games, and worked in teams on the benefits of sport for human health.
Three teachers and nine pupils from each country participated in each learning and training activity. Pupils were selected transparently on the basis of scoring competitions. Each school worked on school project activities with a much larger number of pupils than originally planned 50. The teachers’ project teams were represented by the head teacher, the deputy and teachers of English, Physical education, Biology, Computer science and Health care. The division of tasks and participation in mobilities were planned at the very beginning of the project. School activities were focused on students gaining information from many sources: biology lessons, lectures with physiotherapists, fitness coaches, staff of the Institute of Public Health, notice boards, own project work, cooking lessons… The classes worked on projects, comics, presentations, collections and videos of their own recipes. They actively used digital technologies throughout the project.
Since the first learning and training activity, strong friendships have developed among the pupils. Their need for language learning has deepened by their need to understand. The project activities supported social inclusion, prevented discrimination and developed pupils’ social and organizational skills. Pupils were exposed to many challenges and dealt with many unexpected situations, increasing their flexibility, adaptability and critical thinking. Teachers involved in the project had the chance to improve their communication skills in English. They could share their professional skills and experience with colleagues abroad. They got new tools for their work. Schools have gained a reputation as schools open to Europe and using innovative trends in education. Movement of pupils was very important for fulfilling the main goal of the project. By introducing voluntary running and workout we managed to eliminate the lack of regular activity at all schools. Participation in runs and workouts was initially really huge / about 90% / and this enthusiasm led to an increase in physical performance in most pupils after only a few weeks. However, this trend gradually decreased. In the final measurement it can be stated that on selected samples of pupils, 80% of pupils improved their physical performance. All overweight pupils who accepted the challenge and were running and exercising regularly experienced weight loss. Each school registered several individuals with significant weight loss, which entitles us to express our satisfaction with these results.
We have printed Health Guide for Teens as the main final product and 3 brochures as a result of learning and training activities. We promised to make the final products available to as many people as possible through school libraries and publishing them on the Internet. We believe that our pupils will continue to use the acquired knowledge so that the lifestyle of them and their families will be really healthy. We will try to continue in the established physical activities in schools even after the end of the project.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 88860 Eur

Project Coordinator

Zakladna skola sv. Andreja Svorada a Benedikta, Skalite 729 & Country: SK

Project Partners

• Scoala Gimnaziala “Grigore Moisil”
• 2nd school of Mikra