The short-term exchange of groups of students hosted by Emakosken koulu, Nokia, Finland took place on 13-18 May 2018. All project partners attended the meeting and each school was represented by 4 or 5 students and 2 or 3 teachers. In total, there were 18 students (aged 13-14) and 9 teachers from 4 partner schools. The teachers taking part in the meeting were mainly Science, Biology, Geography, Maths, English, IT, PE teachers and others taking active part in the project implementation. The students were selected on the basis of accepted regulations (e.g. students’ involvement in the project activities, ability to cooperate within a group and responsibility for undertaken tasks). The external aspects, such as students’ availability e.g. external exam dates, were also taken into consideration. The main theme of the meeting in Finland was: GREEN THINKING – ideas on recycling, waste disposal, anti-consumerist attitude, natural heritage protection. The following activities took place:
- the students prepared the next part of the Green E+Dictionary; peer-to-peer interactive videos containing instructional material on recycling, waste disposal, anti-consumerism. The videos were presented and shared by all partners during the meeting. They helped exchange good practices in ecological education in partner countries. The videos were uploaded to the main project website and they were compiled as one of the final project results.
- the students worked out the next part of Greenpreneur’s Book (GREEN THINKING – containing information on recycling, waste disposal, anti-consumerism + useful advice), they worked in international groups using collaborative problem solving method; the outcomes of international groups were uploaded to the main project website became part of the main project products
- the students observed Science lessons conducted by Finnish teachers and took part in scientific workshops
- the students made innovative and practical objects out of recyclable materials – the lessons conducted by Finnish teachers with the help of Finnish students; students integrated their ecological knowledge with entrepreneurial skills; the objects produced were displayed and shared by the participants
- the international group visited eco-friendly sites (nature reserve - Siuro) and companies promoting green solutions (TAMMERVOIMA Waste Combustion Station; MELO Power Station); students saw how newest technological solutions are used in practice to save energy and prevent environmental degradation
- ‘Eco-Survival’ 2 event at Urhattu resort – international groups used scientific and entrepreneurial knowledge to solve problems collaboratively and put scientific and entrepreneurial theory in practice; the tasks required scientific knowledge and strategic thinking
- Swap It Green! Part 2 – the meeting participants exchanged books, CDs, etc. to promote anti-consumerist attitude, the event took place at the hosting school so that more of the local community could get involved
The meeting participants planted trees in Emakosken koulu schoolyard and had a chance to compare ways of preserving natural heritage in a different eco-system. The mobility allowed the teachers and students for the exchange of experiences and good practices concerning natural heritage preservation and work in a collaborative way. It also contributed to the intercultural education and linguistic competences development.
The teachers taking part in the meeting discussed the project activities implemented so far, with special emphasis on their effectiveness, evaluation and dissemination channels. All the time, the activities were attended by a group of Finnish students (aged 13-14) and teachers from the hosting school. Students’ parents got actively involved and local institutions supported the activities (organisation, visits, workshops, eco-event), this way the meeting gave a chance for all parties to exchange ideas, learn from one another and to disseminate the project. The project ideas were clearly highlighted and the ecological lifestyle promoted.
