English
"Could the lights go off across Europe? Cooperation to shape an all renewable vision for Europe by 2050."" In the project we focussed on the transition of energy production from fossil fuels to renewable sources like solar, wind, water, wave and bio as well as geothermal power. Through direct encounters students learned about different ways of generating energy in different countries with special regards to sustainability. Their daily habits were questioned and they were provided with concrete strategies to change their behaviour and their attitude towards climate change. This was the main goal of our project. Pressing climate issues and catastrophic incidents in the field of energy production (for example Fukushima) functioned as the basis for learning intellectually and emotionally about alternative ways of generating energy and valuing these sustainable strategies. Working together with other European nations showed the need for working together but also the many problems of implementing these actions. Different levels of knowledge concerning energy production but also different opinions on for example nuclear power led to interesting discussions about an orchestrated energy policy within Europe. Numerous field trips, workshops, interviews, creative work sequences, experiments and discussions helped the students to gain a deeper understanding of the issues. Digital media (among them GIS programs) were used to create presentations and visual documentations. The partners used different social media tools (for example etwinning) to communicate their results Another important aspect of our project was understanding our common European heritage and our common responsibility. All project partners are located near a UNESCO geopark and thus understand the importance of sustainable actions. The geoparks’ experts and employees elaborated on their different national approaches towards sustainability and renewable energy. Especially regional companies (AWN Buchen, MVV Mannheim, Lindum Drammen, Senvion wind turbines factory Ria Blades) and research institutes (South West Energy Center, Paignton) helped to offer more insights. The results of our research endeavours were discussed within the different schools’ staff meetings, implemented in lessons and curricula and presented in exhibitions. Thanks to that the project’s results were shared with a larger audience and also presented within the media. The most important goal of the project however was turned young students into multiplicators for sustainability and renewable energy in their respective social strata and peer groups."
