Let's Save Our Environment and Our Future
▶Summary
We applied for this project to deepen our education in environmental sustainability, which is increasingly vital. Our motivation stems from a strong belief that our current environmental challenge...
▶Objectives
Our project addressed environmental pollution, its consequences, and climate change. In our case we focused on the aspects of air, water and soil pollution and the impact of waste. Moreover, we developed means to teach children about these dangers and to make them tangible for them through experimental kits, developed for different ages. Environmental rights are fundamental human rights and every step taken to protect the environment is a step towards safeguarding humanity. Unfortunately, humans often fail to respect the natural order. Environmental and climate change issues are among the most important and challenging policy areas for the EU. To assess awareness, the 'Environmental Literacy Scale' was administered to teachers and students. Results indicated that while our teachers had positive environmental awareness and environmentally oriented thinking, both their and the students' environmental knowledge scores were insufficient. As partner countries, we aimed to address these issues by reducing waste, using resources economically, and promoting sustainable practices. Our project focused on utilizing STEAM applications to find solutions to environmental problems, emphasizing the importance of green spaces and recycling.
▶Impact
1. Surveys about environmental knowledge (cf. result platform and project website) 2. Calendars with students' art and information (cf. result platform and project website) 3. Website in 6 languages https://www.environment-save.com/ 4. E-book in 7 languages (cf. result platform and project website) 5. Handbook for experimental kits for students at the age of 5-10 in 7 languages (cf. result platform and project website) 6. Handbook for experimental kits for students at the age of 11-17 in 7 languages (cf. result platform and project website) 7. Waste management and environmental action plan to combat pollution (cf. result platform and project website) 8. E-twinning page https://school-education.ec.europa.eu/en/etwinning/projects/lets-save-environment-and-our-future/twinspace 9. Facebook and Instagram page https://www.facebook.com/groups/763022301967418 https://www.instagram.com/lets.save.erasmus/ The project successfully fostered personal responsibility and environmental awareness among European students, promoting active citizenship within a democratic society. Through comprehensive environmental surveys conducted at both the beginning and end of the project, significant improvements in knowledge and awareness were observed. An action plan to combat environmental pollution was developed and integrated into school strategic plans, ensuring long-term commitment. Educational resources, including change information kit in form of an e-book in six languages (+ English) and two handbooks that go together with or a base for the environmental kits, were created and distributed. These resources, along with the experimental and environmental pollution kits, were made available on the project’s official website, which was developed to support ongoing education and awareness.The website shows the progress of the project and was a great way to disseminate the project and the ideas and resources. The project effectively encouraged positive behavioral changes, such as reducing carbon footprints, promoting green practices, and emphasizing the importance of recycling and green spaces. Annual environment-themed activities, including a painting contest and the creation of awareness-raising calendars, were implemented, focusing on significant environmental days like Water Day, Forest Day, and Environment Day. The project also conducted a case study on water pollution and its effects in the participating countries, further enriching the participants' understanding. The results demonstrated the successful equipping of individuals with the necessary knowledge, values, behaviors, and skills to protect the environment. The project led to behavioral changes in societies, groups, and individuals, promoting responsibility for environmental protection, the importance of recycling, and awareness of renewable energy and waste management. To extend the project's impact, multiplier events, including eco-workshops and project launch meetings, were held. These events inspired further environmental projects and cooperation, reaching larger audiences. The project’s output, including e-books, brochures, and environmental kits, was distributed to educational institutions and foundations, ensuring the project's legacy and continued influence on environmental consciousness and activism.