The core question of this project is appreciation on European Natural Heritage. Many schools are located near or in Natural Heritage Areas but local societies in general, and learners in particular do not necessary take pride in that. The objective of this initiative is to change this situation by opening up schools to their surroundings, by getting to know them better and by contributing to make them better known not only by local schools or locals agents but by the general public. This challenge at school level is the opportunity to strengthen mother and foreign languages, digital and entrepreneurial competencies and to apply teamwork and active methodologies. Connecting Woods involves upper-secondary education students (14-16 years old) in Northern and Southern Europe (Sweden, Spain and France) from different economic and social backgrounds and it involves whole classes organised in stable teams. Teamwork is the methodology chosen to carry out most of the activities combined with documentation techniques and ICT to develop problem-solving and autonomous learning. The internal impact of the project concerns teaching methodologies and spaces and affects learners (stronger STEAM and language competencies) and teachers (methodologies, CLIL approach). However, since the project involves Public and private Institutions (Regional Parks, Forestry Industries and Local Authorities) and Researchers it will also have an impact on local societies. The project will produce documentation which will be public and itineraries which will available to anyone visiting the areas. Thus Connecting Woods will also contribute to approach Natural Heritage to European society as a whole.
The core question of this project was appreciation on European Natural Heritage, especially forestal areas. The partner schools are located near areas with Natural Heritage but until the launch of the project the schools (teachers, students and families) did not always value these assets. The project has changed this situation by opening up schools to their surroundings, by getting to know them better and by contributing to make them better known not only by local schools or locals agents but by the general public. This challenge at school level was going to be the opportunity to strengthen mother and foreign languages, digital and entrepreneurial competencies and to apply teamwork and active methodologies. Connecting Woods has involved upper-secondary education students (14-17 years old) in Northern and Southern Europe (Sweden, Spain and France) from different economic and social backgrounds and it has involved whole classes organised in stable teams. Teamwork has been the methodology chosen to carry out most of the activities combined with documentation techniques and ICT to develop problem-solving and autonomous learning. The objectives of the project was develop teamwork and digital skills while working to become experts on European Natural Heritage. The project was organised in two stages. In the first stage, the project basics were presented. As learners became familiar with digital tools (including etwinning and cooperative work tools such as padlet or google drive), they became experts in the local natural environment near them thanks to local activities. Most of these activities involved teamwork and participation of families, due to which took place outside school hours. The second stage was to be centered, firstly, on sharing these knowledge with other students inside the school (younger students) and with international students involved in the project (international teams) and, secondly, on producing digital products (itineraries). Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus pandemic this second aspect could be implemented only partially. The project initially included three mobilities: a first mobility to Northern Europe (Norrbotten, Pitea) to experience boreal and mixed-deducious-boreal forest environment and relation with local communities, a second mobility to Southern Europe (Occitanie, Nîmes) to experience Mediterranean forest and Mediterranean wet-areas vegetation areas and their relation with local communitiies. The third and final mobility was intended to take place at the coordinator areas (Catalonia, Cassà de la Selva) and to present the final conclusions concerning features, challenges and protection of European natural heritage but it was cancelled due to Coronavirus. Nevertheless, the project has had an internal impact in schools because it has introduced changes in teaching methodologies. STEAM-related skills and digital skills have been deleloped as well as language competencies. The project has also allowed to establish or to strengthen the schools relations with public and private Institutions (Regional Parks, Forestry Industries and Local Authorities). The project did not produce the online itineraries initially intended to be produced but it has documented species and proposed activities to be implemented in the areas.