Application Erasmus + School exchange Marienschule Lippstadt - János Neumann-Gimnazium Eger Project Erasmus + Hungary and Germany in a united Europe Strategies for a future way of living Summary: The transboundary school cooperation of the Marienschule Lippstadt and the János-Neumann-Gimnazium in Eger in Hungary has already been in existence since 1994. In getting to know each other’s exchange partners and their families, it is a central concern to gain an insight into the personal circumstances of life in the two countries. The project focuses not only on the experience of differences and similarities of everyday and school life but also on the economic, social and political conditions. Therefore, life in unknown families in an unknown country is supposed to foster the students‘ personal development (personal responsibility, tolerance and self-reflection). Common experiences should support the feeling and importance of living together in Europe. The Marienschule engages to a high extent with the STEM subjects (MINT). It is honoured with the two certificates “MINT - friendly” and “MINT - Excellence Centre”. They are both conferred by a nationwide association, which works closely together with the German ministry of education and research. Likewise, the Hungarian exchange school not only focuses on the enhancement of language skills but especially on applied sciences. Additionally, the examination of causes and problems of climate change, also regarding the protection of the climate and sustainability, has a high priority in both schools’ concepts. They deal with it in different school projects, which are taught interdisciplinarily and in the lessons. To underline the importance of the school as means of education in environmental and climate protection matters, the Marienschule has joined an alliance with the city council of Lippstadt focusing on the climate. Because of the 26-year-old cooperation between the two high schools, the idea of the Erasmus + - project “Hungary and Germany in a united Europe” has arisen. Furthermore, the leading role of the EU in worldwide environmental protection offers the opportunity to look into the subject of environmental and climate problems in Germany and Hungary. Therefore, the model project of an “energy self-sufficient future way of living” contributes to the idea of sustainability in Lippstadt and Eger. 12 students of years 9 and 10 of each school are supposed to work in the project. During the project, students are expected to express objectives for the improvement of the carbon footprint and should examine them with specific projects and arrangements. The basis of these examinations is the study of the influence of the world climate in both countries due to social, economic and political determining factors. Thereby aspects of the environment and scientific basics like fuel cells, photovoltaics, energy storage, robotics and nanotechnology are used to plan the building project (an energy self-sufficient solar house). In the course of the school year, the assignment is carried out in a project group, which is part of the schedule. A constant communication between the two exchange schools is realized by the platform e-Twinning and video chats. The project group’s work during the visits in Germany and Hungary is complemented by field trips to, e.g. universities (HSHL (Germany), Esterhazy Karoly University (Hungary), a solar house in Kamen (Germany) and a biocomposting plant in Anröchte (Germany). Moreover, the students document the project’s development and its results in a digital portfolio. Posters, studies, illustrations and models are presented to the public in a (multimedia) exhibition at each school. The local press is going to be invited as well. In conclusion, the project is created to make the students aware of the overall problem of climate change. Therefore, every single student is called upon to act in a responsible way and should realize that an international cooperation is inalienable. By gaining insights, their personal actions should be influenced in a long-term matter. Besides, the project supports students to arouse interest in different job possibilities finding technical solutions for questions of the future.
Application Erasmus + School exchange Marienschule Lippstadt - János Neumann-Gimnazium Eger Project Erasmus + Hungary and Germany in a united Europe Strategies for a future way of living Updated version of the summary: The cross-border school partnership between the Marienschule in Lippstadt and the János Neumann Gimnazium in Eger, Hungary, has existed since 1994. The focus was on the experience of differences and similarities in everyday life, the school situation and the economic, social, cultural and political framework conditions. Living in initially unfamiliar families in an unfamiliar country was intended to promote personality development. A lively exchange was intended to promote the importance of living together in Europe and to bridge cultural differences. In both schools, dealing with the causes and problems of climate change and sustainability has a high interdisciplinary priority. In addition to expanding language skills, the focus is also on scientific and technical interest. This is how the idea for the Erasmus+ project "Hungary and Germany in a common Europe" came about with the practical project implementation of a model design for an "energy-autonomous housing project of the future". 12 pupils from each of the 9th-10th classes from both countries worked on this plan. The planning of a building project (energy self-sufficient solar house) was based on environmental aspects and scientific principles such as fuel cells, photovoltaics, energy storage, robotics and nanotechnology. Due to the Corona pandemic and the Ukraine war starting in 2022, the implementation of a mobility between Germany and Hungary was unfortunately not possible. In the course of the school year, the projects were continued in both countries within an AG anchored in the timetable. Exchanges between the Hungarian and German pupils took place regularly via video conferences, individual contact via social networks and the exchange of material via e-Twinning. In the respective local working groups, the pupils developed building projects for the future in small groups, which were implemented in the form of model houses with a detailed portfolio. Project-related excursions could be implemented on site. In Germany, a day trip to Wuppertal took place in the school year 2020/21 for the pre-presentation of the "Solar Decathlon Europe" competition, which dealt with the question "How can sustainable housing and living in the city work? They also visited the climate protection settlement "Malerstraße", where the students learned a lot about the planning of a multi-generation passive house through an expert guided tour. The German students also went on an excursion to Darmstadt that lasted several days. They gained insight into the UNESCO World Heritage Mathildenhöhe, the Hundertwasserhaus, the climate protection concept of the city of science and the "Darmstadtium". In Hungary, the students visited a Tiny House in Bélapátfalva in the school year 2021/22. They gained insight into the planning and development, the choice of materials and energy sources used. Within the framework of an internal school project on the conversion of the schoolyard, the Hungarian pupils were able to contribute their acquired knowledge on ecology (organic garden, composting), sustainability and technical implementation (solar systems, sewage treatment plant, water energy) and draw up sketches and plans. The excursions gave the students inspiration for numerous ideas on the development of architecture and modern and sustainable building. All experiences and insights were shared with the students from the partner school. The joint project results (model houses, portfolios, sketches, photos and transcripts) were presented to the public in both schools in a final exhibition, press articles, the respective school homepages and school year publications. The school partnership project was able to sensitise the pupils in both countries to the overall problem of climate change, show that each individual is called upon to act responsibly and highlight the need for supranational cooperation. Insights gained could influence long-term personal action and also arouse professional interest in the technical solutions to the issues of the future. In addition, the students were able to develop their ability to work in a team on an international level, exchange information about new digital methods and expand their language skills.