Description
The national education system in Romania doesn’t have a dedicated environmental education curriculum for schools. Environmental issues are presented through specialized subjects like biology and chemistry, but these provide little information about awareness and sustainability. The objective of the project is to address the need for NGO’s to strengthen and complete the classroom teaching and organize practical environmental education activities in appropriate settings. Throughout the project 5115 students (5th - 12th graders) from Miercurea Ciuc and close villages will benefit of alternative environmental education by participating in camps, classes, field trips, study visits and other activities. The project will also result in a working group of teachers in order to support these non-formal educational activities. Environmental education materials will be made for participants and for teachers. An environmental educational center with library will provide the location for project activities. The Project Partner will contribute by promoting the project activities and encouraging students to participate in the organized activities.
Summary of project results
The project aimed to find a solution for the problems related to misinformation and the lack of interest in environmental issues in Harghita County. Green Szeklerland Association found that these problems arose from the lack of environmental education in schools. No such materials have been included in the educational curriculum until now. With the help of the “School of Ants” project, major changes were brought in what concerns environmental education in the region. An educational centre was created, where the association organised and coordinated different environmental activities for children and for volunteers. In order to involve as many children and teachers as possible in the activities, various materials and engaging activities were developed. Those who became interested had the opportunity to participate in the activities continuously: presentations, competitions, hiking, bicycle tours, bus tours, thematic camps, study visits and thematic courses. A complex and continuous programme was offered for children and teachers during the whole project implementation period. The activities were organized for over 7,650 children in the region. Free educational materials were developed - about 1,000 pages - that can be downloaded from the association's website. These materials have been downloaded 3,100 times during the project. Playing cards (birds, flowers), various posters, books and educational banners were produced, as well as several other didactic materials. Within the project, a lot of field work has been done, and a good relationship was developed with schools / teachers from the region. Practical lessons for classes specialising in environmental protection were organised jointly with the associations’ experts in these schools. The number of volunteers of the association has increased, and several of them became core members of the association. The association has laid the foundations of the most complex programme of environmental education in the region. A large database was created with the contact details of children and teachers participating in the programme that will greatly facilitate future activities.
Summary of bilateral results