Wald – Vielfalt, Bedeutung und Einfluss auf nationaler und europäischer Ebene Erasmus Project

Project Title

Wald – Vielfalt, Bedeutung und Einfluss auf nationaler und europäischer Ebene

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 2016

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) – basic skills; Early School Leaving / combating failure in education; Intercultural/intergenerational education and (lifelong)learning

Project Summary

Since 2011 there is a well-functioning school partnership between Mertala Comprehensive and Geschwister-Scholl-Comprehensive school. Both principals aspired an Erasmus+-project, and as both towns are surrounded by big forests it seemed to be the right thing to work on differences and similarities of forests in different climatic zones.
Goals of the project were next to gaining specific knowledge about the forest, supporting and developing basic competences and skills of the students to enable them to achieve good school-leaving qualifications and prepare them for the demands of the job market. Furthermore, students should become aware of the importance of the forest for our climate, and they should be encouraged to show initiative of their own, self-confidence and to take responsibility for the project work.
The schools involved are comprehensive schools. The Finnish Mertala school has around 650 students, Geschwister-Scholl school around 1150. In Savonlinna students attend classes from year 1 to 6 on primary level, and from 7 to 9 on a higher level. In Detmold students start in class 5 to leave after class 10 or 13. All school leaving certificates are offered, A-level included. Both schools place importance on education in music and art, on training for skills in woodwork, but also on vocational preparation and qualification. Students in Detmold are very heterogeneous with a high multicultural background. The school is situated in a problem neighbourhood.
The project is divided into three fields: 1st examination of the topic forest in literature and art, its fairy tales and myths. This module’s goals are to improve (basic) reading, writing, foreign-language and communicative skills, to promote creativity and social competences. At both schools creative work was done in German, English and further subjects.
The main emphasis of the 2nd field was vocational orientation, i.e. getting to know trades and occupations in the wood processing industry and forestry. Activities consisted of doing research on the internet, visiting factories, interviewing people working there, excursions under the guide of foresters to learn about species of trees and jobs for the care and cultivation of the forest, but also its economic importance.
The 3rd module was about learning and realizing the importance of the forest as a habitat for animals, plants and humans, and that there is a distinct connection between forest and climate. Students researched the above mentioned aspects, experienced manifold freetime activities on excursions into the forests, but also the effects of extreme weather conditions on forests and trees. They developed individual eco-friendly strategies to act responsibly for a sustainable way of life.
Reactions of students and teachers were very positive in all three years. A selection of creative project results can be seen in the “Große Waldbuch der Geschwister-Scholl-Gesamtschule”. It is available as a book but also as PDF online. Many practical/handmade results have been produced like musical instruments, sculptures, texts, stage productions, powerpoint presentations and films.
Teachers pointed out that this kind of project work was very motivating for the students. Visiting companies and excursions into the forest have been declared as really helpful by the students themselves, because it gave them a concrete idea and realistic view of the world of work in different trades and professions. They received advice for applications, school marks, social commitment etc. which they appreciated as an aid to orientation. When working with wood they learned working techniques, handling tools and characteristics of wood. Wood was introduced as a new material to work with in art. Teachers and students acquired knowledge on doing sculptural art, and the teachers are qualified to carry out similar projects in the future. Trips to the surrounding forests gave students direct contact and valuable insights which they integrated into their Biology lessons.
In addition to that, the core groups of both schools worked on questions that were related to a comparison of the forests in Finland and Germany, to ownerships and rights of use, to the economic importance of the regional forestry, edible fruits of the forest and the importance of the forest for our climate. Their foreign language skills improved, because they had to put their results over to their parners. The powerpoint presentations to all these aspects can be used, developed teaching material has been handed over to teachers at both schools.
The entire Eramsus+-work has been carried out by a large part of students and teachers and thus, it could be successfully integrated into the lessons.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 60800 Eur

Project Coordinator

Geschwister-Scholl-Gesamtschule & Country: DE

Project Partners

• Savonlinnan kaupunki/Mertalan koulu