Innovative learning methodologies in schools for strengthening the awareness and active citizenship about plastics consumption.

CONTEXTEuropean Commission has identified Action on Plastic as a priority in the Circular Economy Action Plan. The first-ever European Strategy for Plastics in a Circular Economy was adopted in January 2018 and European Commission is promoting an EU-wide pledging campaign for the uptake of recycled plastics. On the other hand key competences are considered by European Commission fundamental for a personal fulfilment, active citizenship and social inclusion. These competences in population are essential to solve plastic challenges.Art-based learning and Service-learning are educational methodologies to enable effective way in improving and raising the key competences in order to create more aware and active citizenship. OBJECTIVESIn this context, the objective of Erasmus+ ReLearn Plastics is the improvement of key competences students by means of art, creativity and new learning methodologies with the purpose of strengthening the awareness and active citizenship about plastics consumption.To achieve this general goal, the following specific goals have been defined:- Supporting opportunities for students in acquiring and developing key competences, including basic skills through art-based learning and Service Learning Methodology .- Strengthening the profile of the teaching professions,developing innovative methodologies to increase the awareness and action in students about plastics.PARTICIPANTSPartnership includes four Schools:IES Cid Campeador - SpainP.G.M.S. (Private Grammar & Modern School) - CyprusE gimnazija - SerbiaBiotehniski center Naklo - SloveniaAnd four non school organizations acting as experts in different topics:Universtiy V Maribor - SloveniaCSI Centre for Social Innovation LTD -CyprusAssociació Cultural CRESOL - SpainYouth Club of municipality of Stara Pazova- SerbiaThe countries represented by the partners are Slovenia, Spain, Cyprus and Serbia.The direct target groups of ReLearn Plastics are 100 students and 10 teachers from 4 Schools. Indirectly the project will benefit other groups, mainly teachers from other high schools (100) and professionals working in the field of climate change and art (100).ACTIVITIES AND METHODOLOGYReLearn Plastics implementation follows this structure:1) Beginning – Agreements, preparation of activities and organization.2) School staff training – Preparation of a technical manuals and training course of school teachers3) School student training – Implementation of methodologies in classrooms and experiences and learning exchange for school students.4) Closure – Final evaluation road map for future joint ventures.5) Project Management (transversal) – Tri-monthly reports, virtual and transnational meetings.6) Dissemination (transversal) –Website, social networks, meetings, mainly addressed school students and teachers and professionals.INTELLECTUAL OUTPUTSThe IOs produced by ReLearn Project are:IO1- Learning Material: Plastics in Europe. IO2- Learning Guide: “Plastic Awareness through Art-methodologies”IO3 – Service Learning Methodology: “Active citizen for plastics reduction”. IO4 – Guide and practical tools. Implementation “Plastic Awareness” in classroom. IO5 – Guide: Best practices of implementation Service-Learning for Active Citizens plastic challenges.LEARNING, TRAINING AND TEACHING ACTIVITIES.LLTA1- C1- Short-term joint staff training events for teachers in Spain:Training in Plastic Challenges, Art-learning Methodologies and Service-Learning Methodology.LLTA2 - C2Short-term exchanges of groups of pupils for students in Slovenia:Exchange event with Aware and Active Students in Plastics ChallengesMULTIPLIER EVENTS2 Multiplier Events will be carried out in each country.The first one in September-October 2021 at midterm of the project and the second one in September 2022 at the end of the project. 8 multiplier event will be realized in order to disseminate the results and intellectual outputs.RESULTS AND IMPACTSIt is expected that ReLearn Plastics implementation contributes at:- Strength the school teachers’ competences regarding plastic challenges, art and innovative educational methodologies.- Facilitating new opportunities for school students based on high-quality and innovative learning and international experience.- Improving key competences in school students.