Kaunas, Lithuania

8.04.2024 

Monday 8th of april was the first day of activities. Our hosts welcomed us warmly and invited us to see a musical and dance number they have prepared for us, each partner having their own special dance. They introduced themselves and then we made groups to join the icebreaking games. The groups were made with students from all over the partner countries, every country being present in each group! Through the icebreaking activities we were able to learn from eachother and about eachother. We had to find things we all love and things we all hate and through this we found common passions and interests. We were able to discuss themes related to the project and learn new words and terms about sustainability and green energy.

After the games we had a fantastic lunch in the school canteen and replanished our energy. In the afternoon we took the bus to the Kaunas Old Town where we joined a treasure hunt with historical facts and learned about our host towns history and about lithuanians past in general. The treasure hunt was wonderful and we had the chance to understand eachother better and bond with one another. The game ended near the river and we were surprised and impressed with how clean and neat the city looked and we were also fascinated about the attention Kaunas city offers towards protecting its biodiversity( the multitude of plants and birds despite of the climate here). The team who won the treasure hunt was surprised with a nice sweet treat.

After the treasure hunt each country went back to their own accommodation, some to the hotel and others to host families, and eachone had a pleasant dinner.

09.04.2024

Tuesday, April 9th, commenced with a “green” ride on an electric train, its destination Vilnius. After two hours of exchanging train selfies and a brief read of the capital city’s myths, we finally set off on our walking tour. We passed by and admired several landmarks, such as the Gate of Dawn, Vilnius Cathedral and Vilnius University - the oldest one in Europe, each with its unique, timeless beauty.

As the day advanced and the noon heat called for a break, we stopped by the Lithuanian Energy and Technical Museum, our gateway to learning about the various transformations of energy. There, our guide made us familiar with the story of Nikola Tesla, as well as with the many ways energy is produced and used. By interacting with the grand electric coils (resembling the ones Tesla once famously designed), the LEDs, and all the other machines that have carved the history of electricity, we managed to get a hands-on approach to the sources powering our daily lives as efficiently as possible.

Upon return, we reflected upon the greenness of Lithuania’s capital city and the great care in which it has been kept for so long, both of which make it a praiseworthy destination. All in all, the day prompted us to get better-rounded knowledge about the project’s theme and more eagerness for the following day!

10.04.2024

At the start of the day we all gathered in the festivity hall where each country presented their project about green energy and the current situation in their state. We listened to facts about renewable energy alongside with initiatives, ranking and statistics related to green activity in each country. After two hours of presenting, we split into groups and headed off to the workshops that our guests prepared for us. In the first one we were given a mini sample of a wind turbine that we had to build ourselves in order to produce electricity, thus learning the basics of how such a device works. Another workshop was dedicated to what is known as an ecological footprint, highlighting human impact on the environment and strategies for minimizing negative effects that harm our planet. After watching a video on these topic, we were given a task in which we had to draw a footprint, split it in 15 boxes and fill each one with a color corresponding to the level of sustainability that we have in our daily lives. The last workshop put our creativity to the test, as we had to build a “green park” out of recycled materials such as plastic bottles, caps, carboard, newspapers and glass containers. Not only did we had fun, but we also learned and discovered ways in which we can promote sustainability and protect the environment through accessible and efficient  methods. In conclusion, the day was a rich tapestry of learning and engagement, offering valuable insights into the global pursuit of sustainability. Through collaborative efforts and hands-on activities, we deepened our understanding of renewable energy, environmental impact, and creative solutions for conservation. By embracing these lessons and incorporating them into our daily lives, we can collectively work towards a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.

11.04.24

Today we woke up early to get in time to school. The plan was to visit a green city called Tauragė and to learn more about the renewable energy sources. We were separated in two groups and we attented the workshops alternatively.

Firstly, we went to an education center and we built a wind turbine in order to discover how green energy is produced. We had a lot of fun while learning new information about the preservation of the environment.

Next, we visited a wind farm and we played a very interesting game.

The next destination was the town of Tauragė, the first Lithuanian city that uses exclusively green energy. We have seen many wonderful landscapes and we took some photos with our new friends. We had the chance to spend some more time together and to get to know ourselves better.

After the trip, we visited a wood grouse farm, where we could discover a lot of interesting aspects about different endangered species of plants and animals, while having fun, as there were a lot of interactive activities available.

On the road back, we stopped for the final destination. We went up a hill and we admired the wonderful panorama.

Then, we went at the hotel and spent some more time together, preparing ourselves for the next day.

12.04.24

Although Friday marks the end of this mobility, the day was full of captivating and relaxing activities.

It all began by going to the school in order to group before starting our journey on foot around the city. After about 20 minutes of walking, we arrived at The Bothanical Garden Guesthouse where we had the chance to enjoy nature and relax, altogether with observing the astonishing biodiversity this country has to offer. We chatted for a while, took some pictures and continued hiking around the garden, which had the main purpose of making us appreciate the importance of walking instead of using unnecessary polluting transport means.

The hiking continued by arriving at the S. Dariaus ir S. Girėno Aerodromas where we appreciated the past of the Lithuanian people, took some photos and observed this city's aerial past. The end of our 9km hiking got us back to school for a well-deserved lunch.

At 1pm the last official activity of this programme took place: the Mind Battle. After six intense rounds of answearing questions regarding what we have learned in this project (sustainable energy, the ecological innitiatives taking place in Lithuania and the Lithuanian culture), the winning team was selected and everybody was offered some free time in order to prepare for the awarding ceremony and party later that evening.

At 5pm we all met again for one last time in the room it all started, to celebrate and say goodbye. The ceremony was marked by the recycling inspired party activities and by the touching moments. We all left being grateful for this experience and sad that we'll not have the chance to meet eachother again soon.