Environmental learning and comunity service symposium

On July 2022 Manyanet Sant Andreu  was selected to join a symposium about environmental learning and comunity service activities organized by XESC (Xarxa d'escoles per la sostenibilitat de Catalunya-Network of Schools for the Sustainability of Catalonia). 

Conxita Payán, one of the Spanish teachers involved in the Erasmus exchange program  showed to other teachers from all Catalonia a presentation about our project making insect hotels as part of our Erasmus+ project.

Symposium link: http://escolesxesc.cat/ii-simposi-espai-agora/

Memories of beautiful times...BARCELONA!!

Nights out in Barcelona!

Making friends on the train!

Friendships starting to blossom at the Monastery

Loving beautiful Sunshine!

The Greek nature goddess Chryssa made me a crown!

So much fun on the streets of Barcelona!

 

Our meeting in Thessaloniki

Dear friend of our blog - you want to know something about our recent meeting in Thessaloniki? Check out thie e-book. https://www.storyjumper.com/book/read/158901591/647a2d76dfb26

E-book about the dissemination event in Thessaloniki

 You want to have a closer look? Here's an e-book about our dissemination event recently:

https://read.bookcreator.com/KDys4T0MfvgGneA6nmhC9JyliZk2/HQ4fFEsAQy2EiZKdEXK26Q

Presentation of the project in Thessaloniki to a wider audience

On 8^th May 2023, we disseminated our ERASMUS programmes’ results by participating in the “We are talking about Europe, Initiatives, Actions, and Opportunities” dissemination day, organized by the Directorate of Secondary Education of Western Thessaloniki, in Evosmos’ Technical schools. The school headmistress, Mrs. Tsionki Magdalini, and the coordinator of the project, Mr. Andreas Murmann, presented the results of our project to a big audience of teachers, and students. Mr.   Margaritis Schinas, the current Vice-President of the European Commission for the Promotion of the European Way of Life, spoke and was present at the event. 

The meeting in Buncrana

The meeting in Buncrana comprised a plethora of well-organised activities linked to the GREEN-project itself but also to the overarching goal of fostering intercultural competence and knowledge among the young Europeans inherent in all ERASMUS activities – referred to by the hosts as “the spirit of ERASMUS”.

Regarding its content, the activity touched upon a variety of subjects – due to the multidisciplinary nature of the GREEN project. In more detail, specific topics such as the local flora and fauna represented in wildlife habitats and their preservation (e.g. in national parks and sanctuaries), cultural and historical aspects of human involvement with nature (e.g. peat cutting and invasive plants, creation of parks) as well as the geological formation and human-led deformation of landscapes (e.g. coastal erosion, fishing) represented the basic thematic building blocks for the students. Apart from these specific topics linked to the project, of course, local culture, traditions, and history also played a large role in the student’s involvement with the host country. Particularly the North Ireland conflict whose deep ramifications and brutal repercussions could still be felt in many ways did not leave the students and the visiting teachers untouched. 

 

Methodologically, internet-based research, interviews, varying group activities, presentations, guided tours, written tasks and manual work were interwoven in a multi-methodological and multi-sensorial experience for the students. The methodology changed and depended on the particular activity carried out on each day (see below in the description).

The various findings and results were documented in multiple physical and non-physical forms, ranging from handmade-products (e.g. recycled shirts, local food), written pieces (the blog, essays, flyers, comments) and various presentations and group talks.

The activity both evolved around and exceeded the “normal activities” of the hosting college, depending on the day and focus. While some activities, as described above, followed the local school timetable and also included participation in regular classes and a lunch in the school canteen, others – for the obvious reason of being extra-curricular trips and activities - went beyond the regular school activities. This was all due to the special character of an ERASMUS-meeting which naturally includes more extra-school activities than a regular school day.

On March 10^th the activity kicked off with a variety of tasks and games aimed at breaking the ice between students and getting to know Irish culture a little better. The host had prepared a large variety of group activities and games of skill in which the five different groups had to actively engage with the partners from the different countries in order to find solutions for various riddles and games. This was greatly enjoyed and served its ice-breaking-purpose very effectively, as well as the fantastic Irish Culture showcase of traditional dancing and music which left a deep impression on students and teachers alike. After a tour around school focussing on environmental and ecological aspects a treasure hunt around Buncrana was carried out in which students had to work on tasks related to the GREEN-Project and upload their findings to a cloud for sharing. For example they had to identify certain plants or ecological habitats and along the way they got to know the town of  Buncarana. 

On the next day a trip to Malin Head enabled the students to learn about the very special coastal landscape and its ecological importance. The tour guide spoke about the historical importance of turf for the region and its now acknowledged ecological meaning as a natural storage for carbon dioxide, as well as the wildlife and the threat of coastal erosion for the region. A guided tour with lamas showed  the students how  ecological and sustainable tourism could be carried out. The day was finished off with a trip to Derry focusing on historical aspects such as the troubles and the conflict between Ireland and Northern Ireland. 

Monday 13^th March brought us to Glenveagh National Park where the students had to solve different tasks with the help of the rangers who led them through the park and explained about its peculiarities and ecological importance. On Tuesday 14^th  a carousel of activites was carried out in Buncrana College focussing on GREEN aspects. These reached from baking activities using local and sustainable ingredients to woodwork and recycling activities. All activities were carried out in mixed groups and included presentations and group talks. After a packed day in school, a tour to a wildlife sanctuary (Wild Ireland) was carried out where the students learned about the importance of the local fauna and the attempts to resettle certain species in this region of Ireland.

The mobility to Lisbon

The Lisbon project meeting purpose was to explore different green places, from Natural Parks to small gardens, activate knowledge, reflect together and come to conclusions about how we can find the right balance between man and nature and protect and restore our environment.

The activities planned for the meeting included multinational teams of teachers and students from the different countries involved promoting collaborative work among everyone. Each team divided tasks, took notes, used new technologies, creativity and skills to give their contribution to the project. 

Collelcting seeds at Bela Vista Park

The first day started at school with a welcome moment with ice-breaking activities to welcome and strengthen the bonds of friendship and exchange of experiences. A guided tour to the school was carried out and later the students and teachers were led through the School Open Day Activities that were taking place, on the topic Water. Then, the group went for a walk to Bela Vista Garden to collect different seeds of natural species. It was also an opportunity to walk around, sharing with nature and enjoying the view over Lisbon. 

 

 

The wetlands of EVOA - Tagus estuary

The second day was a Day Trip to the Tagus Estuary Natural Reserve, EVOA – Tagus Estuary Birdwatching and Conservation Area, which allowed the group to know and enjoy the unique heritage between the Lezíra and the Tagus Estuary. There, students and teachers got to know the permanent exhibition – EVOA, Where the World Meets the Tagus – and participated in the different activities that are complementary to birdwatching, as for example the recognition of the contrast between landscapes, the relation between tradition and innovation and the variety of species that feed and take refuge in the canals, in the agricultural fields and in the Lezíria’s pasture lands. There, it was possible to develop activities that reflect the relation between man and nature in order to keep a balanced sustainability. On the third day, students spent their time with the host families and host students, and it was time for cultural sharing. 

Gulbenkian Park

On the fourth day, the group had a guided tour through Calouste Gulbenkian Garden, one of the most emblematic gardens of the Portuguese modern movement and a guided walk through The Green Corridor project of Monsanto, designed over three decades, and it was possible to get acquainted with two ciclopedonais gardens, horticultural Park pasturelands, cornfields, viewpoints and parks for physical maintenance.

Olivais Pedagogical Farm

 

 

In the last day, students reflected and shared ideas about nature, in groups. Reflections were made in the mother tongue and then shared in English. A group of students from the Multimedia Professional Course was recording and reporting on the entire activity for later sharing. Then, the group visited Olivais Pedagogical Farm. In addition to discovering the variety of animals that live there, the group participate in a composting and planting activity. The Lisbon meeting ended with sharing moments in a Farewell party.

Street art nade of plastic garbage

 

Lisbon Report

 Friday 2

Our second day and first one at school, started with some break ice activities and a tour at the school, where we could meet the other students and have a lot of fun.

Then they explained and showed us one project that all Portuguese schools are doing now called DAC that is about water.

After this school activities we had lunch at the canteen and went to a beautiful park called Bela Vista Garden, when they explained us the nature that was there and collected some seeds, we also had a break and saw the Portugal match. 

Finally, we visited a little part of the center of Lisbon and had dinner all together.

Marta Becerra

Saturday 3

Today, Saturday, we have spent our time visiting a special place. We had to move to Vila Franca de Xira to enjoy of a huge habitat characterized by having some special conditions which allow animals to live in a perfect ecosystem. Also in there, they are studied and classified by scientists just for them to be controlled and protected. We have acted like ones by observing different types of animals and knowing even the deepest curiosities we could imagine. The explanations and activities were interesting, that's why we felt very glad to discover all that information about animals, concretly birds. The conclusion of this journey is the fact that people cause a rellevant impact on other human beings and we have to be aware of caring our home and the ones we share it to. On the way back, we crossed the bridge Vasco da Gama, which is 14 km long....

Ingrid Fernández

Sunday 4 

Sunday: Today some of us went to the Benfica stadium in the morning. Later, in the afternoon we went to the factory where they make Pastel de Belém. They were very good and we took the opportunity to buy some for our family. Afterwards we walked along a riverside promenade and saw some important monuments...

Gerard Oller

Monday 5

Today we started our day at the school, when we had all arrived, we took the metro to San Sebastio station, where we walked five minutes and arrived at 'Calouste Gulbenkian Garden'.

In this place we saw beautiful and different exhibitions and an amazing garden that a guide explained to us.

After 2 hours visiting the place, we had lunch.

When we finished to eat, we walked 30 minutes to arrive at 'The Green Corridor project of Monsanto' where we were able walk trough the nature and observe the city of Lisbon.

After doing these activities students and teachers separated ourselves, and the students  went to the Christmas market of 'Wonderland' where we spent a short time because after that, we had a reservation in a Chinese restaurant with a big buffet, where we stayed for such long time I and we had a lot of fun.