Oil – pumpkin seed vs. olive Erasmus Project

Project Title

Oil – pumpkin seed vs. olive

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: Environment and climate change; Health and wellbeing; Natural sciences

Project Summary

Regional products have always been omnipresent in regions where tourism plays a considerable role. In Styria, for example, pumpkin seed oil (“black oil”) is a representative product of the area, whereas olive oil was and is the counterpart in the maritime region. In both areas the oil serves as an ingredient for various products, especially with regard to the cuisine. Moreover, products of a certain region were and are often also closely linked to the “identity” of an area. If you think of Styria, for instance, one immediately associates this region with the typical products, such as pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed oil and even ice cream with pumpkin seed oil flavour. The climate played and plays an important role when it comes to the fabrication of these products. In Southern France (“Côte d’Azur”) the climate is largely influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, while in Styria the climate is quite temperate. Due to various conditions, each region is different and special, which makes this project particularly interesting for all the participants.

The pupils, that were involved in this project, should not only analyse the different types of oil, but they were also supposed to differentiate and compare them with regard to sustainability, climate, geography and other aspects. In times of climate change and globalisation, regional products were of great importance and represent not only an area, but also a whole country. Local products could also influence the agriculture of a region tremendously, which was also analysed in the course of this project. Soil samples, all kinds of experiments and trips to local companies were included in the programme. Since this topic was also linked to the aspect of health, an analysis of the eating habits on the basis of a survey was carried out. Therefore, not only pupils and teachers, but also doctors and nurses took part in this project. In fact, two schools of the two regions (BRG Kepler Graz and Centre International de Valbonne) worked together and contrasted the different types of oil (pumpkin seed oil vs. olive oil).

The aim of this project was not only to work on a scientific level (samples, experiments, etc.), but also to broaden one’s horizon in terms of cooperation, competences and communication. The pupils did not only work, but also communicate with each other and, therefore, became acquainted with each other, which could be helpful for future projects. Nontheless, the focus of this particular project was on the analysis of all kinds of different tasks dealing with the issue of oil types and the influence of the pupils’ eating habits on their health and diet. Therefore, the pupils were asked to take out a survey, analyse experiments and observe lessons in Graz (Austria) and Valbonne (France). All in all, they had to deal with the topic of regional products and how they influence our everyday lives. The pupils were accompanied by their teachers and live in host families during their stay in the foreign country. This should have improved the students’ social competence as well as their development in general.

Project Website

https://www.brgkepler.net/erasmus/?projekte/erasmus/kernoel_olivenoel

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 36566 Eur

Project Coordinator

Bundesrealgymnasium Kepler, Graz & Country: AT

Project Partners

• Lycée International de Valbonne