BUILDING STEM SKILLS THROUGH ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

<< Background >>According to the EU Renewable Energy Directive, member states should cover at least 20% of their energy requirements with renewable energy. This is expected to increase by 7% across Europe over the next ten years. This is to be achieved by reaching individual national targets. With this project, we wanted to support what we see as an important EU strategy and raise awareness regarding the need to increase the use of renewable energy sources among pupils and teachers. Using the STEAM method, we enabled the students to gain a deeper understanding of how these energy sources are used and to make them aware of the benefits. The students, aged between 14 and 19, had the opportunity to get to know each other at three LTTAs, exchange views on this topic and develop a European perspective on the subject. All three partner schools decided to participate in this project in order to strengthen the European awareness of pupils and teachers. We wanted to show that a united, strong Europe can also be successful in this area and that every pupil and teacher can contribute to this.<< Objectives >>The main aim of the project was to raise awareness regarding energy supply with renewable energies among the pupils and teachers of the three partner schools and to facilitate the exchange of practices between the three partner schools. We pursued the following sub-goals:1. develop an understanding of the processes involved in creating sustainable energy concepts 2. promote general awareness of the improved use of alternative energy sources 3. improve skills and competencies through interdisciplinary projects using the STEAM method 4. promote collaboration, teamwork and communication skills among students and teachers 5. develop soft skills to promote students' career opportunities 6. promote self-confidence and intercultural awareness among young European citizens7. constructive engagement with EU policy on the use of renewable energy.8. to promote European awareness among pupils and teachers that the challenges of future energy policy can only be overcome together.We are very pleased that after this intensive project work and the three LTTAs we were able to achieve all our goals.<< Implementation >>We held one LTTA in each partner country with six pupils and two teachers from each partner school. An important topic was allocated to be worked on in each meeting: 1st LTTA in Badalona/Spain: Water energy and STE(A)M2nd LTTA in Gänserndorf/Austria: Traditional and alternative energy sources - consumption and impact on the environment3rd LTTA in Rosarno/Italy: Wind energy and STE(A)MThe content of each meeting was prepared by the participants at school, so that the pupils also dealt with the project topic between the meetings. The preparations were presented at the meetings and worked on in transnational workshops. In addition, there were numerous outdoor activities and meetings with experts to give the participants a deeper understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of each resource. The students stayed with students from the partner country and were thus also able to get to know the culture and lifestyle of the partner country. This enabled not only an intellectual but also a cultural exchange. Friendships were formed between pupils and teachers and European awareness was promoted in the long term.<< Results >>1. website with the presentation of the entire project work, all topics, LTTAs etc. - coordinated by Spain2. project logo created by Spain3. project management by creating and ongoing updating of a project plan by Austria4. evaluation of the three LTTAs by creating and evaluating questionnaires for pupils, teachers and host families - coordinated by Austria5. creation and supervision of an eTwinning project and a corresponding Twinspace by Italy6. dissemination - publication of the partial results in the local press/open day/annual reports etc. at all partner schools - collection and processing of the results by Italy7. creation and maintenance of a Facebook page and Instagram by ItalyIn addition to these specific outputs, the most impressive result was the genuine joy and motivation with which the pupils and teachers participated in this ERASMUS+ project. The collaboration and the three LTTAs worked so well that ideas for further projects are already being developed. ERASMUS+ is an added value for every partner school, which also significantly increases the attractiveness of the respective school locations.