The Network of European Blue Schools intends to foster the implementation of Blue Education in all schools, regardless of their coastal or inland locations. You don't have to be near the sea to learn about the ocean's impact on you and your impact on the ocean. The following examples showcase that schools situated away from the coast can also partake in the Blue Challenge and obtain European Blue School Certificate through local projects that aren't directly related to the sea.
We Are On The Same Boat
No. 1 Senica Primary and Junior Secondary School, Senica, Slovakia
1. Develop a project with interlinked activities - No.1 Senica Primary and Junior Secondary School is engaged in a series of interlinked activities:
- The school focuses on preserving water ecosystems in the Zárie region, which belongs to the Black Sea and Baltic Sea basins.
- The school runs multiple initiatives and long-term environmental projects throughout the school year, addressing various annual calls related to biodiversity, cleaning water-bound areas, climate change impact, and nature-friendly habits.
- Student teams drive these initiatives, which culminate in the "We Are At The Same Boat" one-day campaign.
- The campaign involves multiple Senica Junior Secondary schools, promoting peer-to-peer learning as students, teachers, and volunteers present their initiatives.
2. Produce a clear output - The clear outputs of the school's efforts include:
- The "We Are At The Same Boat" one-day campaign that involves participation from various schools, promoting environmental awareness and action.
- Honors and recognition for productive student research teams.
- Climatic Certificates that serve as a tangible reward for participation and achievement.
3. Involve all students - Students were actively involved at each stage of the project, through different activities that fit their skills and interests.
4. Collaborate with a local partner - The school collaborates with several local partner institutions, including the Záhorie Community Center, Záhore Nature Reserve Authority, Senica Municipality, and Trenčín Water Treatment Plant. Gdynia Aquarium.
5. Communicate project results - The project results are communicated through various means:
- Initiatives, campaigns, and projects run throughout the school year.
- The "We Are At The Same Boat" campaign involves participation from multiple schools and peer-to-peer learning.
Kids Save The Ocean
Gymnasium Draschestrasse Vienna Bilingual School, Vienna Austria
1. Develop a project with interlinked activities - The project involves a series of interlinked activities:
- Building a 5-meter-long humpback whale sculpture made from plastic trash to bring attention to ocean pollution.
- Organizing the Children’s Clean Ocean Summit at the United Nations, where children share their perspectives on ocean pollution and take a stand against it.
- Engaging volunteers from around the world to support the project's initiatives.
- Developing the Fatechanger app, an education and lobbying tool designed to empower kids to take action on environmental issues.
- Exhibiting youth environmental art and collaborating with various organizations, including the United Nations, Austrian Academy of Sciences, and others.
2. Produce a clear output - The clear outputs of the project include:
- A 5-meter-long humpback whale sculpture made from plastic trash.
- The Children’s Clean Ocean Summit at the United Nations, where children engage in discussions and actions against ocean pollution.
- The Fatechanger app, aimed at empowering kids to have a voice in the political process.
- Youth environmental art exhibitions.
- A website showcasing the project's work and activities.
3. Involve all students - Students were actively involved at each stage of the project, through different activities that fit their skills and interests.
4. Collaborate with a local partner - The project collaborates with various organizations and entities, including the United Nations, Haus des Meeres aquarium, Austrian Academy of Sciences, Winter Art, European Commission, UNEP, and NASA.
5. Communicate project results - The project results are communicated through various means:
- The humpback whale sculpture draws attention to ocean pollution through its visual impact.
- The Children’s Clean Ocean Summit involves children from various cultures sharing their perspectives on ocean pollution.
- The Fatechanger app serves as an education and lobbying tool to empower kids.
- Exhibitions, collaborations, and inclusion in books showcase the project's impact and outreach.
- The project's website and interactions with various organizations contribute to the dissemination of project results.
Danube - Oasis Of Peace
Liceul Teoretic ”Ioan Cotovu”, Hârșova, Romania
1. Develop a project with interlinked activities - The project involves a series of interlinked activities:
- Objectives include improving the quality of the Danube environment, developing civic spirit, promoting green education, stimulating teamwork, and popularizing gained experience.
- Involvement of the entire local community, with a focus on students.
- Creating attractive and interesting activities that instill values and attitudes related to environmental education and preservation of the local Danube area.
- Field trips and practical workshops emphasize the importance of a healthy environment and a "clean Danube."
2. Produce a clear output - The clear outputs of the project include:
- Improved quality of the Danube environment through direct student involvement.
- Development of students' civic spirit and decision-making abilities related to Danube issues.
- Promotion of green education and sustainable learning.
- Enhanced teamwork and collaboration within the school and local community.
- Popularization of gained experience from the environmental education project.
- Acquisition of knowledge, creativity, and entrepreneurship skills through activities and field trips.
3. Involve all students: The project aims to involve the entire local community, starting with students. Activities are designed to provide students with opportunities for self-expression, creativity, and development.
4. Collaborate with a local partner - The project collaborates with a range of local partners, including:
- City Hall of Hârșova
- City Council of Hârșova
- "OPPP CYPRINUS" Fishermen Association
5. Communicate project results:
- Promotion of green education and sustainable learning, which could lead to long-term changes in education and environmental awareness.
- Enhanced teamwork and collaboration within the school and local community, which fosters a sense of community and shared responsibility.
- Popularization of gained experience from the environmental education project, which can be shared with other schools and communities.