Save our Resources

"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 •ConclusionOn 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.euhttps://twinspace.etwinning.net/13131/pages/page/453123The 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""!"