FightClimateChange!

<< Background >>UNO, together with Base and Prezidendo Adamkaus Gimnazjia, applied for this project to address the urgent need for climate change education, recognising it as a global challenge that affects ecological, physical, economic, and health dimensions. The project is rooted in the belief that education is crucial for fostering sustainable behaviours and critical thinking about environmental issues. By developing a common methodology for environmental education, the partners aimed to equip young students with the knowledge and skills to engage with their communities and adopt sustainable lifestyles, thus contributing to mitigating climate change impacts. At the same time, the intent was to provide teachers with a transnational methodology which collects best practices from the participating countries to ease the adoption of environmental education in schools (which is not compulsory in all European countries). The FightClimateChange! project aligns with the UNFCCC's and the European Union’s green goals, emphasising the importance of educational programs in raising awareness and promoting action on climate change.<< Objectives >>The project was thought to promote a shift in how the younger generation perceives and interacts with the environment. The objectives were:-Promote sustainable behaviours: Partners sought to encourage young students to adopt sustainable practices, emphasising their critical role in the earth's environmental health. This goal was underpinned by the belief that early engagement in sustainability can lead to lifelong eco-friendly habits.-Develop educational resources: Partners recognised teachers as important guides in shaping young minds. They aimed to create innovative teaching materials focused on climate change, designed to equip teachers with the tools to inspire their students.-Enhance critical thinking and interest in STEM subjects: A core objective was to cultivate students' ability to critically assess and respond to climate change and raise their interest in STEM subjects related to environmental protection. -Raise environmental awareness: Through the project, partners wanted to instil a sense of responsibility in young students by integrating an appreciation for the environment.-Promote social inclusion: Another aspect of the project was its commitment to using the outdoors as a classroom to foster social inclusion. << Implementation >>Partners implemented 3 key activities to reach project objectives:1.Project Management: This activity involved the project's strategic planning and management. Partners focused on establishing clear communication channels, setting up regular meetings (both online and in-person), and creating a structured framework for the project’s execution. This phase ensured all partners aligned with the project’s goals and timelines.2.Research of Content and Structuring the Methodology: Led by Prezidento V. Adamkaus gimnazija, this activity involved comprehensive research across participating countries in identifying and compiling the best practices in environmental education. The aim was to develop a new, innovative teaching methodology to address various environmental topics. The effort culminated in the creation of a methodology manual.3.Testing Phase and Creation of the Digital Platform: The newly developed methodology was tested in a practical classroom setting, involving training teachers and implementing it with students. This hands-on testing phase was crucial for assessing the methodology’s effectiveness and gathering feedback to refine it further. A digital platform was also developed to widely share the finalised methodology. << Results >>The Project’s main results are:-The methodology manual: the project's main output, structured to provide a holistic and engaging approach to environmental education. It includes an introduction to active sustainability policies in EU; a focus on climate change policies and characteristics;overview of green policies at Adamkaus gimnazija; 15 best practices in 5 sub-topics: Getting to Know Nature; Healthy Lifestyle; Saving Water; Green Energy; Fighting Plastic Use.-Recognizing the need for additional support in applying the methodology, the project partners developed an Implementation Guide. This guide offers practical advice, tips, and suggestions for teachers on effectively integrating the manual’s content into their curriculum, ensuring that the activities are accessible and impactful for students of varying ages and backgrounds.-The digital platform is the central repository for all project resources, significantly enhancing the project’s reach and sustainability. The platform features General information about the project and its objectives, downloadable versions of the methodology manual and implementation guide, a gallery showcasing project meetings and activities pictures, and a feedback section.