Endangered waters

The first objective was to experiment with and promote out-of-classroom teaching methods focused on sustainability topics related to different regional water bodies. By learning directly in and f...

The first objective was to experiment with and promote out-of-classroom teaching methods focused on sustainability topics related to different regional water bodies. By learning directly in and from these environments, the project aimed to strengthen students’ understanding of water ecosystems and their local and global relevance and provide tools for teacher to educate these topics. A second key objective was to raise awareness among teachers and students about the environmental threats facing these water bodies . The project sought to encourage active engagement by exploring practical ways to address these challenges through education, cooperation, and sustainable practices. The third objective for teachers was to exchange local teaching methods, innovations, and best practices. All partner organisations brought their own approaches to addressing the project themes, which enriched the cooperation and benefited all partners. Through this exchange, teachers gained new perspectives and practical ideas that can be adapted to different educational contexts. Last but not least, an important objective was form lasting cooperation network and introduce new organizations to Erasmus+.

Throughout the Endangered Waters project, partners participated in educational visits, workshops, and research across partner countries. The focus was on water ecosystems, biodiversity, human impact, and sustainability. In Finland, the partners explored Baltic Sea at the Zoological Museum, learned about river restoration at Vantaankoski rapids, investigated eutrophication at Hanikka Nature Reserve, and conducted hands-on research at Tvärminne Zoological Station with the University of Helsinki. They also engaged in a mobile platform game highlighting Helsinki’s maritime landmarks. In Germany, students along with teachers examined the Emscher River, a tributary of Ruhr, renaturalisation and its historical industrial pollution. The river was transformed from Europe’s largest “open sewer” into a near-natural ecosystem In Ireland, a study programme for teachers addressed overfishing and its environmental and economic effects, with visits to the Killybegs Fishing Organisation, Donegal City Council, and Scoil Mhuire, which has long traditions in sustainabillity studies. In Türkiye, partners planned the project, explored water’s role in Cappadocia, and studied restoration and pollution prevention on the Kızılırmak River.

Students participating in the project experienced new and innovative ways of learning about the importance of local water bodies and their environmental challenges. The applied out-of-classroom and experiential learning methods proved to be effective and engaging. As a result, these methods will be embedded and further implemented in different ways within the partner schools’ curricula, continuing beyond the project’s lifetime. Pupils strengthened their foreign language competences as well as their intercultural awareness and communication skills through international cooperation and mobility activities. Teachers gained inspiration and professional development by exploring best practices, extracurricular activities, and innovative teaching methods during the mobilities. These experiences contributed to improving their pedagogical approaches and international outlook. The project also fostered long-term European cooperation among the partner institutions, extending beyond the project itself and covering sustainability topics as well as future areas of collaboration.