Cultural mapping of Europe

"The project ”Cultural mapping of Europe” was an Erasmus+ K2 partnership of 6 European schools: Spain, Romania, Turkey, Bulgaria, Italy and Greece.The main aim of our project was to preserve local cultural values and to make them known to the European students interestingly and attractively:- by curricular activities (lessons of history, geography, arts, technology, languages, IT and others)- by extracurricular activities like performances, exhibitions, development of materials (6 E-magazines, 6 Travel guides, posters, leaflets, calendars, etc.)- through the cooperation with local NGOs and local authorities - by organizing International events like the project’s International Seminar in Spain, International Workshop in Italy and the International Exhibition in Greece- other cultural activities in the local communities on different occasions associated with academic gain, bringing learning beyond the classroom. Those events offered to the pupils excellent networking opportunities, gave them a sense of responsibility, pride and self-esteem.Project’s objectives were:- to improve the knowledge of different local cultures of Europe by producing sustainable modern materials that preserve our cultural identity.- to improve knowledge of European languages.- to improve computer abilities and modern internet communication skills- to create and develop networks between European schools for an exchange of experience and cooperation in future projectsSome of the project’s activities were included in schools’ curricula:- Social theme (active participation of pupils at the community cultural events, the democratic way to build a common European space-based cultural diversity and tolerance for other cultures).- Cultural theme (articles about local cultural identity activities, special events), art theme (E-magazines, photos, drawings, flyers, porters).- The subjects were: literature, foreign languages, ICT, arts, history, geography and technology.Target group- Pupils from 10-15 years old. The project's activities involved teachers, pupil’s families, NGOs, local authorities and communities for a better impact and dissemination.Project's products:- 6 E-magazines on various topics related to the project - “EUROPE TOURIST MAP”, “EUROPEAN FOLKLORE MAP"", ""HISTORICAL MAP"", ""UNESCO MONUMENTS MAP"", ""EUROPE ART and CRAFTS MAP “and ""EUROPEAN GASTRONOMY MAP""), 6 Travel guides, a set of Common evaluation questionnaires, project’s Calendar, Website, Blog, Facebook, eTwinning, advertising flyer, poster, movies and DVDs with materials for dissemination, using Realtime board, PREZI, Power Point, Movie Maker, google drive apps and other ICT software.The Clubs produced their materials and were sent to the country clubs responsible for a certain magazine.Activities and methodology.- Curricula and extracurricular activities in school;- There were 2 types of mobilities – 4 Short-term exchanges of 99 (pupils and accompanying persons) and 4 project meetings with 26 teachers.- We involved in project activities teachers, pupil’s families, local authorities and community members for a better impact and dissemination.The project’s activities offered a variety of learning methods, from classical to modern, formal, non-formal and informal.Results and impactProject's benefits were recorded on individual, school, partnership's and local community levels:- For pupils: communication and directly working with European colleagues developing friendships based on value behaviors. Pupils improved knowledge about cultures in Europe, ICT, foreign languages, how to manage project’s activities (project’s preparation, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, dissemination and follow-up).Participation in our project raised awareness of the richness of cultural and linguistic diversity in Europe:- For the project’s staff (project challenge trainers improved their teaching methods, developed new competencies (ICT, foreign languages, modern methods of teaching which increased the European value of formal, non-formal and informal education);- For the local community where the schools are situated.We provided long-lasting information through Erasmus+ platform for dissemination, eTwinning platform, project's Website, Blog and Facebook, DVDs, movies and memory books at school for students and teachers and durable works by the pupils.We initiated a sustainability plan which involves the implementation of the project results and the program in at least 25 other schools/year in the 3 years following the end of the project."