Geomythology is the scientific field which interprets mythology in relation to nature during the mythological period. Pre -historic man witnessed environmental changes and through myths expressed his experiences. Recording this verbal tradition from generation to generation has given Mythology plenty of material, which further more symbolizes different places of geological evolution. PROJECT'S OBJECTIVES1) the study of nature and environmental changes, their interpretation with the assistance of mythology.2) the multi disciplinary approach of the subject through various scientific fields, exploring the relation between Myths and geological / climate changes of the past,3) the research of the past's cultural elements and their connection with geological changes in different parts of Europe, such as common river names, city names, local customs, progress in agriculture, communities, politics, ethics, social values, religions etc 4) the migration and ethnic diversity, answering the question why people were migrating from one place to another and environmental changes that forced them to migrate. 5) the development of foreign languages and ICT for students and teachers and strengthen teachers profession 6) the reduction of the early school leavers with the non formal and extra curriculum activities They will be achieved by following the adventures of a meteorite, a ROLLING STONE, which falls from space in Latvia and rolls all over Europe, searching for GEO-myths and climate changes and finally falls in the Atlantic Ocean. Over the 3 years, it will have experienced our culture and language. The ROLLING STONE is a vehicle to motivate and inspire pupils in language - spoken and written - and also be involved in all the activities as a guest . The theme will be approached with an innovative, active and multidisciplinary way - "Myths hidden behind the fact" in order to include , motivate all pupils and make them love school. Promotes participatory, team work (blended mainstream and disadvantage pupils). Most of the project's activities are non formal , some of them are extra curricular. Pupils will be able to interact with the ROLLING STONE and share their experiences through many activities by real experience, such as study visits, field trips , workshops, eco-games, (role play , simulation, sports, music, art, handicrafts, Land Art, image-making, films, drama) having lots of fun. This project is addressed to mainstream and disadvantage pupils, teachers, parents from 4 primary and 4 low secondary schools. Through dissemination, the public, stakeholders, local and national authorities, tourism organizations, school heads, unemployed youth and media, will get familiar with culture and natural heritage of other countries and feel that they are part of European society. The website's Data Basis, the EST, Erasmus + Dissemination Platform, EURODESK and eTwinning will disseminate the project's results and allow everyone to learn from them. Project's online groups will be still active after the project's end, for further intercultural discussions and future international cooperation among schools and communities.The long term benefits are the extended knowledge of English, improvement of the linguistic and ICT skills, development of key competences, reduction of the early school leavers, changes in the curricula, shape ecological contact, introduce Europass and Youthpass in schools, prevention of xenophobia and prejudices, encourage of critical thinking. Through the project's activities, school will become a tool for social inclusion and the teaching process will become more attractive and international. The ROLLING STONE project will be a basis for sustainability, developing a strategic approach to strengthening the links between the eight schools and its local environment, deepening concepts of local and European identity. Using the existence of GEO-myths of different areas of Europe and Middle East, pupils will design and create Geomythological Parks and paths as a tool for Alternative Educational Tourism, so future generations will have the opportunity to visit, study and discover the places where myths took place.More over, MYTHOLOGY have been synonymous to SUSTAINABILITY for million years, since pre-historic period, from generation to generation and in this way becomes precious heritage teaching people their cultural European identity.
Geomythology is the scientific field which interprets mythology in relation to natural environment and climate during the mythological period. During the long pre-historical times geo-environmental changes were numerous and dramatic. Eight primary and low secondary schools from Greece (coordinator), Latvia, Italy, Poland, Turkey, Portugal, Turkey and Hungary followed the adventures of a meteorite, a ROLLING STONE, which fall from space in Latvia in October 2016 and rolled all over Europe, searching for GEO-myths and climate changes. Finally in May 2019 fall in the Atlantic Ocean in Portugal. Over the 3 years pupils, teachers and local communities experienced cultures,languages and ecosystems The ROLLING STONE was a vehicle to motivate and inspire pupils in language - spoken and written - and also be involved in all the activities. Pupils interacted with the RO*STO and shared their experiences on the Project Blog and Pupil's Discussion Board THE MAIN OBJECTIVES were: 1)the study of nature and environmental changes, their interpretation with the assistance from mythology. 2)the multi disciplinary approach of the subject through various scientific fields, exploring the relation between Myths and geological /climate changes of the past 3)the research of the past or contemporary relations in different parts of Europe, such as common river names, city names, local customs similar in many parts of Europe 4)the migration and ethnic diversity, answering the question why people were migrating from one place to another and environmental changes that forced them to migrate 5)to improve the practice of foreign languages and ICT for students and teachers and strengthen teachers' profession 6)to reduce the early school leavers Through the activities the project: - brought students in contact with nature, found solutions and realized that is constantly changing - familiarized students with Myths, legends, traditions and interpreted the phenomena they were describing in times when natural sciences were unknown - helped exhibit cultural values, cultivated eco-knowledge and increased attractiveness of local and European monuments - designed THEMATIC GEO-mythological parks in eight countries, connecting mythological places where intense environmental changes have left their marks, for sustainable development and Alternative Educational Tourism, - worked in making the Greek Thematic Network world wide and sustainable The project had a Language/Literature theme throughout and encompassed themes like Entrepreneurship, Supporting Disadvantaged Pupils, using ICT across all work.This project was addressed to mainstream and disadvantage learners, teachers, parents, stakeholders/ leaders in local communities, tourism organizations, school heads and youth.The target groups learnt about other nations in the long time history and to realize more deeply the principal idea of mutual rapport and understanding.Students planned and carried out eight project events during three years for the general public and invited guests. The impact was very big for all target groups and local communities Following RO*STO’s adventures we improved teachers' and pupils' language and digital skills. Management, leadership, planning and organizational skills also improved.Teachers reconnected teaching and learning activities to the natural environment and transferred this to their daily school actions.The project was developed through a variety of subjects: Maths, Language, Geology, Geography, History, Technology, Cultural, Environmental Studies, Art and Physical Education Eight countries introduced STONE from Space and developed concepts of active citizenship (national and European), sustainability and social coherence through engagement with the myths and the history of the sites, their place in the local environment, as markers and continuers of cultural identity. Also produced tangible results as: "The amazing trip on Earth" book and e-book, The "Myth book", Geomythological paths and maps in eight countries, Calendar, Mini-Geodictionary, activity e-book and local eco-clubs The project used the existence of GEO-myths of different areas of Europe and Asia as a basis for sustainability, developing a strategic approach to strengthening the links between the 8 schools and its local environment. Encouraged communication between schools, historical sites and social/economic partners at local level in order to develop the knowledge of learners. Future generations will have the opportunity to visit, study and discover the places where myths took place as a tool for Alternative Educational Tourism. As a result of close and and fruitful collaborations between partner schools and local communities, plans have been initiated for twin-city schemes, as well as exchange student programs, in order to support language learning and cultural development. All results are uploaded in Twinspace and project's Blog: http://blogs.sch.gr/4dimlamias/