Comenius project news updates

A round-up of various EU-sponsored Comenius projects and related overseas meetings in which local schools have taken part with the help of funding allocated by the Maltese EU Programmes Agency under the Lifelong learning programme.

Saving energy, saving the world

Students and teachers from the Gozo College boys' secondary school 'Ninu Cremona' and nine other schools from Malta, UK, Italy, Poland and Latvia, that are involved in the Comenius project 'Saving Energy, Saving the World, met up last month in Zabrze, Poland.

The students jointly built an 'eco house' and discussed the materials that can be used to build a house using less energy sources like electricity. They also prepared a leaflet on how to save water.

The respective schools presented and discussed activities held during the previous months and gave a presentation on how to create different types of exercises without using manufactured items.

The Gozitan school was represented by 14 students from all forms. During their stay in Poland, the group also visited an old coal mine in Zabrze, now converted into a museum, the salt mines in Wieliczka and Krakow.

A visit to Aushwitz World War II concentration camp was an unforgettable experience for the students and their teachers.

The project's main aims are to make students, teachers, parents and the public more aware of how to make better use of electricity, water, and recycling.

For more information visit the website www.essw.eu/.

Green harmony

Over 60 students from Malta, Italy, UK, Lithuania, Portugal, Turkey and Romania recently met at the Seashells Resort at the Suncrest in Qawra to discuss global warming as part of a Comenius project entitled 'Green Harmony'.

During their stay in Malta, the students also discussed environmental issues with students from St Theresa College, Birkirkara.

The world watched by children

Theresa Nuzzo School, Marsa, last month hosted 33 guests from schools in Bulgaria, Poland, Greece, Romania and two regions in Italy - Ancona and Abruzzo - for a meeting of the Comenius project 'The World Watched by Children'.

The project's main aim was to help the pupils overcome cultural differences and various activities have been held at the local school to emphasise the topic.

During their stay in Malta, the participants visited Ħagar Qim and Mnajdra temples, St John's co-Cathedral and Mdina, besides experiencing typical Maltese hospitality and food.

The project is in its second year and the next meeting will be held in March in Ancona.