How Green Are We - Becoming Green

It was intention to deepen the study and identification of environmental protection policies and practices at national and European levels, promote students and community’s sustainable and environ...

It was intention to deepen the study and identification of environmental protection policies and practices at national and European levels, promote students and community’s sustainable and environmentally friendly behavior, integrate nature programs as a part of the national curriculum, promote English use, stressing its importance in the transnational context, promote collaborative work contributing to greater motivation, civic participation and increased self-esteem. We believe we managed to give our students and all those involved in the project the opportunity to experience other European values and natural environments, to realize the benefits and advantages of learning with and in nature, experience an environmentally friendly school, share the best environmental policies of each country and experience the beauty of nature through the transnational cultural heritage and learn about sustainability from an European perspective. In the medium and long term schools intend to contribute to the achievement of the strategic goals and objetives set out in the Schools' Educational Projects and Activity Plans, implementation of further actions and development of tools for dissemination of good practices.

We implemented studies of local, national and European Environmental policies, shared between both schools, social media and local municipalities. We attended Training Actions and organized congresses to present the main results from the researches, experiences and apprendiceship. It was created the Project Logo and the Project Hymn. In a completely collaborative work which envolved 3 teams of Portuguese and Turkish students to write the lyrics, a Turkish music teacher and Turkish students who made the music arrangement and voice we recorded of a vídeo with the lyrics, voice and accompanied by Turkish Sign Language and Portuguese Sign Language. The Portuguese school had the cooperation of the Coordenator and the Students of the Sign Language Translation Course from Escola Superior de Educação, Porto University. We also created and implemented quizzes. Two Photography Contests where held under the 17 Sustainable Development Goals. It was created the Environmental Club, the Schools gardens, the Good Practices Guide. Finally, the mobilities included visits to the cities municiality, museums, participation in activities related to the environment in the host cities, visits to historical and cultural sites.

Those who participated in the Project had active involvement in environmental issues, develope their European identity and citizenship, civic commitment and participation. Awareness of nature programs fenefits was another important output as well as essential skills to foster socio-educational and personal development. Those involved gained awareness of their environmental protection civic duty and had the opportunity to experience training inovation, implement environmental education actions and have better curriculum connection to nature. Another valuable output was improvement of English language, academic motivation and success. Use of critical thinking, pro-active attitudes in every area of our lives. Also, the promotion of socio-educational and personal development of all participants and contributed to the innovation of professional education by stimulating pedagogical means and implementation of environmental education practices. Schools Created the Gardens, the Environemnt Club, the Good Practice Guide. They contacted and worked with local government institutions and authorities such as municipalities, parish councils, higher edcuation school, LIPOR, TEMA, the Research and Turkish Development Department.