Greece #1

The training programme was designed to promote ecological awareness and inspire teachers to include what nature can offer in their everyday lessons. The seminars delivered to partners focused on how children who experience school grounds or play areas with diverse natural settings are more physically active, more aware of good nutrition, more creative, and more civil to one another. Involving nature in different learning areas offers an engaging platform for gaining and applying knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Participants became active learners as they took part in activities that emphasized skills essential for succeeding in tomorrow’s world, such as questioning, investigating, defining problems, analyzing, interpreting, reasoning, developing conclusions, and solving problems. Being actively involved gave them a deeper understanding of what environmental education is about, and they will be ready and full of ideas to transmit their knowledge to their students. Through the activities held, partners enhanced their understanding of cooperative learning, critical thinking, and discussion and focused on action strategies with real-world applications.

During the first short-term training event held at DES in Greece, the following activities took place:

Workday 1: The students and teachers of the school welcomed the partners and presented a short artistic programme. The participants then presented their countries and schools with short presentations, and the project meeting followed. The meeting was the first opportunity they all had to discuss up close all the details regarding the plan of the two-year project. Furthermore, during the first workday, all partners participated in the seminar "Escaping the Boring Classroom through Nature", a seminar that focuses on the innovative teaching methods DES school utilizes.

Workday 2: The participants visited the city's town hall and had the opportunity to meet the mayor Gregory Konstantellos, discuss educational issues with him and furthermore, take part in the workshop "Education in Greece and Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni" which gave them the opportunity to learn more about the greek educational system and specifically the situation in the specific municipality. Furthermore, they visited the property "Zahaios", where they observed and participated in the process of olive oil making. Olive oil is a traditional Greek product known worldwide,

Workday 3: The third workday was a cultural day. Participants visited the historical centre, the Acropolis museum, the Acropolis, and archaeological sites in the surrounding area.

Workday 4: All participants visited DES Kindergarten for presentations on ongoing and completed activities regarding the project, classroom observation and the seminars “Maths in Nature” and “How Nature Can Transform Education”. Furthermore, they visited the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre for a tour, presentation and discussion.

Workday 5: Partner schools attended the seminar “Gardening-Nature Walk”, observed classroom activities and completed the coordinators’ meeting during which the next steps were discussed and agreed upon. A farewell party with traditional songs and dances took place at the end of the day.

The training programme was designed to promote ecological awareness and inspire teachers to include what nature can offer in their everyday lessons. The seminars delivered to partners focused on how children who experience school grounds or play areas with diverse natural settings are more physically active, more aware of good nutrition, more creative, and more civil to one another. Involving nature in different learning areas offers an engaging platform for gaining and applying knowledge and skills in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Participants became active learners as they took part in activities that emphasize skills essential for succeeding in tomorrow’s world, such as questioning, investigating, defining problems, analyzing, interpreting, reasoning, developing conclusions, and solving problems. Being actively involved gave them a deeper understanding of what environmental education is about, and they will be ready and full of ideas to transmit their knowledge to their students. Through the activities held, partners enhanced their understanding of cooperative learning, critical thinking, and discussion and focused on action strategies with real-world applications.

During the first short-term training event held at DES in Greece, the following activities took place:

Workday 1: The students and teachers of the school welcomed the partners and presented a short artistic programme. The participants then presented their countries and schools with short presentations and the project meeting followed. The meeting was the first opportunity they all had to discuss up close all the details regarding the plan of the two-year project. Furthermore, during the first workday, all partners participated in the seminar "Escaping the Boring Classroom through Nature", a seminar that focuses on the innovative teaching methods DES school utilizes.

Workday 2: The participants visited the city's town hall and had the opportunity to meet the mayor Gregory Konstantellos, discuss educational issues with him and furthermore, take part in the workshop "Education in Greece and Vari-Voula-Vouliagmeni" which gave them the opportunity to learn more about the Greek educational system and specifically the situation in the specific municipality. Furthermore, they visited the property "Zahaios", where they observed and participated in the process of olive oil making. Olive oil is a traditional Greek product, known worldwide,

Workday 3: The third workday was a cultural day. Participants visited the historical centre, the Acropolis museum, the Acropolis, and archaeological sites in the surrounding area.

Workday 4: All participants visited DES Kindergarten for presentations of on-going and completed activities regarding the project, classroom observation and the seminars “Maths in Nature” and “How Nature Can Transform Education”. Furthermore, they visited the Sea Turtle Rescue Centre for a tour, presentation and discussion.

Workday 5: Partner schools attended the seminar “Gardening-Nature Walk”, observed classroom activities and completed the coordinators’ meeting during which the next steps were discussed and agreed upon. A farewell party with traditional songs and dances took place at the end of the day.