Green way forward: experiential environmental education in coastal communities

The objective of project was development of sustainable ecological mindset and behavior through innovative approaches to environmental education with active engagement. Pupils engaged in scientifi...

The objective of project was development of sustainable ecological mindset and behavior through innovative approaches to environmental education with active engagement. Pupils engaged in scientific experiments focused on environmental issues, particularly in island and coastal areas. This hands-on experience enhanced their understanding of importance of marine nature protection.By participating in outdoor activities, pupils moved away from sedentary lifestyle. They embraced physical activity, that improved their health and fostered a love for nature. The diverse natural environment encouraged pupils to interact positively, leading to improved manners and respect among peers. Through collaborative project events with partner schools, all pupils developed ICT skills. This exposure to technology enriched their learning experience and prepared them for the digital age. Teachers collaborated with international colleagues to enhance environmental education through innovative learning methods, referred to "learning by doing." This approach was designed to make learning more engaging and effective. Schools collaboratied internationally to enhance teaching of climate phenomena and address environmental issues specific to their regions.

During the project period 3 partners successfully implemented a total of 46 activities, which included various types of meetings and workshops aimed at enhancing collaboration and learning. 1. 4 online management meetings: These meetings were exclusively for school coordinators to discuss critical aspects such as communication strategies, material preparation, information dissemination, evaluation surveys for each activity, and the analysis of results throughout the project lifecycle. 2. 3 online meetings of pupils: These sessions allowed pupils to engage with each other in a virtual setting, fostering collaboration and interaction among peers. 3. 36 local workshops/activities: a significant number of local workshops were organized to provide hands-on experiences and learning opportunities for our pupils. In local workshops/activities (12 in each country), the competence of pupils and teachers on the topics planned in the project was developed. 4. 3 onsite meetings of teachers: These meetings enabled teachers from different locations to actively participate in discussions and share best practices. At the international meetings (1 in each country), the partners summarized the results achieved and the proposals received.

The concrete results and outputs can be summarized as follows: 1) Providing the opportunity to involve 46 participants in training during on-site meetings (16 from Estonia, 15 from Crete, 15 from Madeira), which improved quality of their work and updated methodology. In total, 81 teachers acquired many new competencies, implemented good practices in environmental teaching. 2) Developing entrepreneurial and management skills in teachers to carry out project work internationally and in areas related to their goals, this project helped to gain experience in participating in international meetings. 3) Contributed to understanding and experience of participants regarding the Erasmus+ objectives. 4) Creating 4 modules adapted to the 3 countries, so in the next school year modules become part of the curriculum of all 3 schools. In our schools, other teachers use the project materials (lessons, plans, experiment guides, experiment tools, videos, leaflets, photos) for lessons. 5) raising awareness among schoolchildren about climate change and environmental issues in island and coastal areas of the world landscape via practical work. Everything is publicly accessible via the project website https://ecoforwardtallinn.my.canva.site/tallinn