LTT 2 in Leverkusen/Germany and results

LTT2 “Me and my environment” in Leverkusen aims at developing students’ science skills and environmental awareness.

Prior to the visit each school investigated their local eco-system and brought results, photos and specimen to the LLT. Based on the local fieldwork students assembled an exhibition on the uniqueness of each local ecosystem and returning home exhibited it in every partner school.

Environmental awareness was increased on a guided tour of Bayer followed by a critical discussion. Here we also visited the Kautschukpruefzentrum a laboratory which is involved in developing more ecofriendly car tires by combining the components optimal so cars use less gas.

We visited the NaturGut Ophoven where the students were informed of the need for alternative energy sources and had a workshop building solar cars.

Appreciation of nature was promoted on a Hike-and-Bike trip, students playing the “Chaos game” an outdoor sustainability game and a walk through a typical German beech forest.

The students informed each other about the progress of the activity (result of LTT1) which each school started to become more eco-friendly and gave each other advice.

Furthermore possibilities of having one eco-friendly activity for all partner schools were discussed. Finally we agreed on increasing the awareness of the project at each school by making a wall painting.

Also articles for homepages and the TwinSpace were finished and an interview was given to a local Leverkusen newspaper. The article was published two days later.

The LLT has increased the participants’ understanding of the uniqueness of European ecosystems and the need to save CO2 in order to protect them, to preserve the very basis of our lives. Here students gained scientific skills and environmental.