Water, treasure of nature Erasmus Project

Project Title

Water, treasure of nature

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: Energy and resources; Teaching and learning of foreign languages; Social/environmental responsibility of educational institutions

Project Summary

The main reason for the partnership between a Hungarian bilingual school in Budapest and an Icelandic school in Reykjavik was to cooperate with the aim of making students aware of the importance of nature and water, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using geothermal energy. The other reason for the two participating schools (the Hungarian Szabó Lőrinc Bilingual Primary and Secondary School and the Icelandic Borgarholtsskóli, Comprehensive School) in the project was to use German to increase the motivation to learn and improve language skills for the second or third foreign language, but also to provide intercultural experiences mainly through conversation.

The various activities achieved the development of different areas of competence, which had a technical, linguistic and social impact at the same time. The participating students (16-18 years old) concentrated mainly on working on the topic and broadened their language and specialist knowledge while working.

The main aim was for today’s young generation to experience the hot springs and geysers in their natural environment and understand their real meaning and beauty. However, that was only partially fulfilled as the Hungarian students could not go to Iceland due to the pandemic despite the project being extended.

The project started with online contact of the teachers and all the necessary preparation. The Hungarian students had already worked on previously selected topics on water energy, geothermal energy, school and city tours (Hévíz, Esztergom, Budapest). They created numerous presentations, quizzes, Kahoot etc., which strengthened their self-esteem, supported them and improved the process of becoming more competent users of German technical terms. As a result, they also improved their cultural and scientific knowledge. The main tool for communication between the participants was the creation of the common website (https://2019wasser.wixsite.com/erasmusplus) and messenger chat groups for instant communication, especially during mobility in Budapest.

The face-to-face meeting of the students in Budapest was the first cooperative learning activity of the project. Through research, discussions with experts, lectures and visits to different institutions, all participants gained a deeper insight into the topic. They developed an idea of what they themselves mean by efficient use of resources and “culture”. Throughout the project the development of IT skills and 21st century competencies were encouraged, such as collaboration and teamwork, creativity and imagination, critical thinking and problem-solving strategies. All students developed different strategies for independent information collection and presentation of results in German and / or have expanded their skills significantly. The Icelandic students spoke to young and elderly residents of Budapest in interviews and got to know their views. They observed the behaviour and mentality of Hungarians and discovered their own patterns of perception and behaviour in their meanderings in the city and the country as a whole.

Due to Covid 19 and the lockdown, in which only online lessons were possible in both countries / schools, our project had to be changed quite drastically. In December, students from both schools explored the living cultural heritage and Christmas traditions with the best being published on the project website. In January and February, the Icelandic students prepared the trip for the Hungarian guests, but in March most unfortunate events took place and instead of a trip to Iceland, online lessons were the order of the day. Further online collaboration became more and more difficult, the motivation of the students decreased, and the teachers had no personal contact with the students. Various online presentation competitions related to the project were advertised (the best are available on the website), in which all students from the two schools could take part in. English had to be used as the language of instruction, so that all students from both schools could really be involved in the online world.

Despite all the difficulties: In all activities, students and teachers gradually became acquainted with one another through personal exchange. Both partners became more sensitive to natural resources, history and culture, customs and traditions. Finally, the students were made aware of the importance of nature and water as well as the advantages and disadvantages of using geothermal energy.

Project Website

https://2019wasser.wixsite.com/erasmusplus

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 22851,22 Eur

Project Coordinator

Budapest II. Kerületi Szabó Lörinc Kéttannyelvü Általános Iskola és Gimnázium & Country: HU

Project Partners

• Borgarholtsskóli