Ecological projects of ALO pupils within the framework of Erasmus+
On June 3rd, in the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School of the Silesian University of Technology in Gliwice, the Ecology Day with ERASMUS+ took place, summarizing the educational project “We are Green Europe”, implemented by young people and secondary school teachers this school year.
“This is the third project we have carried out in six years of our secondary school. International cooperation is becoming one of our trademarks” – said the director of the secondary school, Dr Małgorzata Borysławska.
For the solemn summary of the project: “We are Green Europe,” delegations of pupils and their carers from primary schools: SP No. 13 in Żerniki, ZSP in Pilchowice and SP 6 in Gliwice were invited.
- “We invited younger colleagues to share with them the effects of our year-round work, and at the same time encourage them to participate in international projects in the future while studying at secondary school” - explained Ewa Wiaterek, who coordinated the activities of young people during five project trips.
The best ambassadors of the Erasmus+ program were the pupils themselves, who were involved in project activities and took part in one of four international meetings.
The twenty-four participants selected as a result of the recruitment process had to meet several conditions: in addition to good knowledge of English, they showed readiness to host the student or participate from a partner school during their visit to Poland.
The partners of the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School in the project “We are Green Europe” were secondary schools from Isparta in Turkey, Intorsura Buzaului in Romania, Pokroujes in Lithuania and Barcelona in Spain. Each of them was also the organizer of one of the mobility projects and hosted foreign delegations at home.
Schools usually outdo each other in ideas for the program of workshops, lectures, and visits to interesting places for their guests. The cultural component is also an important element of these meetings. The pupils experienced real life in another European country, living under the same roof with the host family.
As the name of the project “We are Green Europe” indicates, the topic of the pupils’ activities was broadly understood ecology, translating into a conscious and sustainable lifestyle in practice, consistent with the philosophy of 5.5. Refuse, reduce consumption, reuse, re-purpose, and recycle.
Each school has prepared its mobility, focusing on one of these ecological slogans.
"In Poland we were dealing with the idea of Repurpose," said Julia, a third-grade pupil.
We tried to show our guests different interpretations of this slogan. We have organized a competition for the best use of unnecessary things for a new purpose. The result is a collection of good nature-friendly ideas that everyone can use in their home. We took part in several workshops: In the Krakow NGO Crash on Trash foundation, we created decorative bases from broken ceramic elements, in the Mikołów botanical garden we learned how to make cosmetics from generally available ingredients - enumerated the participant of the project.
The participants also visited the Guido mine in Zabrze, which is an example of the use of Repurpose in architecture. It is a former mine that was adapted for a new purpose and received a second life as a museum and cultural centre.
All aspects of international cooperation were discussed by the pupils of the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School of the Silesian University of Technology during their presentations given to primary school pupils. The pupils talked about what they learned during the trip, they mentioned cultural differences, attitudes to life and learning in different countries, adding interesting facts, anecdotes, and lots of photos. They showed what they learned during their visits abroad and what ecological solutions they intend to instil in their environment.
“After the presentation of a Romanian fashion designer using recycled materials, in the Academic Secondary School we organized ALO Vinted day, consisting in exchanging clothes that their owners no longer wanted. We had a great time, and as a result, many people found some new clothes for themselves as part of this school exchange” - said Ala, a third-grade pupil.
There was also no shortage of practical activities in the project. The pupils and the secondary school pupils who took care of them moved from the building of the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School to the Student Creativity Centre of the Silesian University of Technology. There, in accordance with the spirit of the place, another point of the event began, that is, workshops of creating ecological bags from old T-shirts. Scissors went into motion and after a few quarters of an hour pupils became owners of new gadgets that will successfully replace plastic bags used while shopping. At the same time, for teachers there was a meeting and discussion on the implementation of ERASMUS+ projects in primary schools, conducted by Marta Iwańska from ERASMUS+ InnHUB Katowice and the Foundation for the Development of the Education System.
After the eco-workshop, participants were waiting for refreshments and the last lecture entitled “Micro-organisms - invisible superheroes of green Europe” conducted by Prof. Dr Hab. Aleksandra Ziembińska-Buczyńska from the Silesian University of Technology, during which pupils learned the secrets of microbial life, the role of microorganisms in everyday life and their importance for our planet.
In order to keep the eco-message with the pupils for longer, they received “flower bombs” to create a mini meadow in the pot and eco-houses for insects for the school garden.
ALO (Academic Secondary Comprehensive School) pupils have no doubt that Erasmus+ changes lives and opens minds. So far, about 30% of pupils have taken part in the trips. They have given pupils an experience that will affect their later lives. Young people have also made friends in different parts of Europe.
During six years, the Academic Secondary Comprehensive School received over PLN 570 thousand in grants for pupil trips and teacher training.
