Description
The project is focused on the integration of knowledge about climate change into environmental education at the school and the implementation of water retention measures in the school area. The objective of the project is adaption to climate change, specifically flood and drought prevention. It is expected that the project will create a system of environmental education curricula focused on climate change and rainwater management, and that it will help capturing rainwater from roof for further use. The project implementation includes the following elements: 1 fish pond, 1 stream, 1 eco filter for the pond, 1 water tank with a pump, 1 integrated pipe system to redirect rainwater to the proposed measures, 4 garden terraces, 1 “rainwater” balcony, a new school curriculum and a comprehensive website. Children, students and civil services are expected to benefit from the project implementation. The municipal government and the school can work together to promote the village as a new home for young families with good schools and other facilities.
Summary of project results
The Blue Schools project at the Primary & Elementary school in Sarisske Bohdanovce in the Presov District brought great value to the community as a whole. The project fulfilled three primary goals - environmental conservation, environmental education and aesthetic appeal. Prior to the implementation of the Blue Schools project, none of the three factors were complete. From an environmental perspective, rainwater was drained from the school property without being put to use; instead water from the tap was the main source of water for irrigation of the garden. Due to the cost of water, the skating rink was a rare feature of the school ground during the winter months. The full potential of the school grounds were not utilized and as such, rainwater was wasted while at the same time, water sources were strained. Given that rainwater is the source of freshwater on planet earth, it is necessary to manage rainwater with a means of returning back into the small water cycle above land. The Blue Schools project consisted of two main parts –environmental awareness and the retention of rainwater for utility purposes. Compulsory environmental education was added into the school curriculum where children are expected to complete a certain amount of hours per year. The new features such as the fish pond consisting of collected rainwater, the stream, underground reservoir and green roof on the library terrace provide a great learning ground for kids to learn about the environment and how human creativity can integrate environmental conservation with community development. Children are directly shown how collecting rainwater can replace the dependence on public water sources. The construction of a fish pond, stream, underground water reservoir and a green roof added aesthetic and recreational appeal to the school grounds. These features also improved the schools micro-climate by retaining more rainwater on the school grounds. The underground water reservoir provides the school with abundant utility water for garden irrigation in the spring, summer and fall months and water for the skating rink in the winter. Above all else, the project addresses the issue of climate change by highlighting innovative ways of conserving water and returning it back to the small water cycle instead of draining it from the property.
Summary of bilateral results