Until 2020 the emission of Carbon Dioxide in the European Union should be reduced by 20% in comparison to 1990. This is one of "The 5 targets for the EU in 2020". This aim should be reached by introducing 20% of energy from renewable sources and by a 20% increase in energy efficiency. The main objective of our project is to create a responsibility in using resources to contribute to these aims. As a European target these efforts only can be reached by a cross-border project. In different countries there are different needs, different technologies and a different awareness for these issues. We want to exchange our educational and scientific knowledge and methods handling the questions regarding consumption and waste of resources and energy. Based on these different conditions and experiences in teaching we want to create a "European resource and energy curriculum". In this curriculum we want to show which competences students need to recognize the problems of consumption and waste of resources and energy and how awareness for sustainable development can be created. These transnational efforts are a way for a successful realization of the EU 2020 targets. Therefore we chose general secondary schools where these different conditions and experiences are prominent: All schools bring along their specific national and regional experiences to contribute to a curriculum that helps to strengthen the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) all over Europe. The schools and their specific topic are: Vera (ES) - Modified landscapes for the production of energy Eitminiškių k. (LT) - Biofuels as way out? Bari (IT) - The resource water. Ploiești (RO) - Solar technology. Cologne (DE) - Reduction of energy consumption and using waste in efficient ways. Content-specific competences according to the UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development will be expressed in the curriculum. Teaching materials will be created, put into practice, discussed and evaluated at the meetings. So there will be a catalogue of skills that students should achieve in order to act as socially and environmentally aware citizens concerning consumption and waste of resources and energy and contribute to a sustainable development of the EU. All documents will be published in English so that the concept we plan can be implemented in every school as part of English lessons or a bilingual subject. Because of the accordance of the curriculum and the lesson materials we will create it can be implemented very easily at other schools. Through the curriculum we will enable other schools to profit from our work which will multiply our efforts in their region. Maybe an implementation of our curriculum or parts of it into different national curricula would be possible. The project takes everybody into account – directly or indirectly. The aims of the EU 2020 ideas can only be reached by a common European engagement regarding the consumption of resources. We want to make people aware of the issues around resources. The "European resource and energy curriculum" we will create and the matching teaching materials will be published as digital resource at different public education websites like EST. Our project will make people aware of responsibly using resources and energy and will contribute to a sustainable development in the EU. It will strengthen foreign language proficiency, ICT and intercultural skills of all participants and contribute to a Europe of high quality education.
Europe is one of the richest regions in the world. However, this wealth comes at a price: We live at the cost of future generations and therefore it is vital to find ways to save our finite resources. Education is a key agent for change towards sustainable development. Education for sustainable development (ESD) improves the capacity of individuals, communities and society as a whole to make informed judgments and choices in favor of sustainable development. The main objective of the ERASMUS + project “Save our resources” is the creation of the "European Resource and Energy Curriculum" which improves education for sustainable development and creates awareness for consumption and use of resources. It was realized by five teams from secondary schools in Romania, Italy, Spain, Lithuania and Germany. We worked together to develop teaching modules and materials for students in Europe to increase their competences and knowledge about the dependability on resources and make them aware of how to use resources sustainably. All modules of the curriculum were put in practice, discussed and evaluated. The different modules of the curriculum consist of teaching materials for anyone who sees the need of teaching sustainable development. In general, the modules are designed to create awareness for the waste of resources but they also serve to increase knowledge and develop technical skills in different fields. As these aims are reached by working in a foreign language, the modules also serve to increase foreign language competence. Also ICT competences are trained by working on this curriculum. The different modules offer lesson drafts with suggestions to innovative teaching methods like cooperative learning, web-quests, and problem-oriented lesson models. They are usable in cross border implementation and can be adapted. Therefore, the objective of our project corresponds to the UNECE Strategy for Education for Sustainable Development and the goals for sustainable development by the UNESCO. Module overview • Introduction • Water as a resource • Bioenergy • Solar and Wind energy • Tourism as a resource • Natural resources and agriculture • Cultural resources • Nature and Biodiversity • Fossil energy sources • Nuclear power • Conclusion On the whole we realized seven transnational meetings during our project. The aim of the first meeting was preparing for the project, the last served as a follow-up. During the five meetings the modules were to put into practice, discussed and evaluated by the transnational groups. Also the meetings were accompanied by activities related to the specific topics. In between the meetings each school created the different modules and offered activities related to the project like a logo contest, seeing theater plays, excursions to energy companies and research centers, organizing activities around Europe Day, creating exhibitions etc. You can get more information on: https://www.facebook.com/saveourresources/ http://www.save-our-resources.eu https://twinspace.etwinning.net/13131/pages/page/453123 The result of the project is our curriculum which is accessible everyone who is interested in providing ESD. The effects out project had were diverse: the participants of the project changed their view and behavior using resources, they improved their language and ICT skills, they built long-lasting friendships which contributes to an international understanding of European citizens. By using our curriculum these effects can be multiplied over Europe. Have fun working with the "European Resource and Energy Curriculum"!