This 7-day course provides educators with the tools and methodologies needed to inspire students to live more sustainably and take action on environmental issues. Participants will explore innovative teaching techniques, hands-on activities, and practical strategies that can be implemented in schools to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. Designed for school principals, vice-principals, and teachers, the course focuses on creating a shift in students’ behavior toward a sustainable future.

Course Highlights:

– Level 7 EQC Certification: Attendees will receive a prestigious Level 7 EQC Certificate, Europass Certificate Supplement, and 10 transferable ECVET points, enhancing their professional qualifications.

– Innovative Sustainability Education: Learn cutting-edge methodologies and tools for integrating sustainability into the curriculum, empowering students to take action on climate change, waste management, and responsible consumption.

– Hands-on Learning & Environmental Activities: Gain practical skills in ecological gardening, upcycling, and permaculture, all while learning how to design engaging, student-centered sustainability projects.

– Cultural & Outdoor Experiences: Combine classroom learning with outdoor activities in Kalamata’s rich historical and natural environment, exploring sustainability principles that can be applied to modern life.

– ICT Tools for Sustainability: Discover the latest digital tools that support environmental education and engage students in meaningful sustainability activities.

Why Sustainability Matters in Education:

The next generation must be equipped to address the environmental challenges of the future. As educators, it is our responsibility to instill an understanding of sustainability and encourage responsible behavior. This course offers practical strategies for teaching students about their ecological footprint, climate change, and sustainable living, ensuring they become proactive citizens in protecting the planet.

Course Objectives:

By the end of this course, participants will:

– Understand the key concepts of Sustainability and Education for Sustainable Development (ESD).

– Master innovative teaching methodologies that inspire students to adopt sustainable practices.

– Recognize the environmental impact of daily habits and learn ways to promote responsible consumption in the classroom.

– Develop skills to conduct upcycling workshops, fostering environmental awareness through creative reuse.

– Learn how to design and implement sustainability-focused activities that actively engage students in environmental action.

– Gain practical experience in permaculture and ecological gardening, with methods that can be applied in schools.

– Understand soundspace ecology and its potential for raising environmental awareness through auditory experiences.

– Explore a variety of ICT tools that can be used to enhance environmental education.

Course Content:

This course covers a wide range of sustainability topics and their application in educational settings:

– Sustainability Concepts: Explore the UNESCO Sustainability Goals and European policies on sustainability.

– Environmental Education in Schools: Learn how to teach about climate change, waste management, responsible consumption, and ecological footprints.

– Soundspace Ecology: Understand the impact of noise pollution and how sound-based activities can be incorporated into sustainability education.

– New Technologies in ESD: Discover digital tools and resources that support sustainability education.

– The Sustainable School: Learn how to turn your school into a model of environmental responsibility, integrating sustainability into daily school life.

Methodology:

This course is built on non-formal learning and experiential techniques, with a strong emphasis on practical, real-world applications. Participants will engage in active learning through collaborative projects, outdoor activities, and reflective exercises. Lessons will be conducted in our center’s classrooms, computer labs, and outdoor spaces, ensuring a dynamic and diverse learning experience.

Unique Learning Opportunities:

– Study Visits to Local Schools: Participants will visit a local school to observe best practices in sustainability education and participate in a structured case study. Reflective activities will follow the visit, helping participants apply what they’ve learned. There is no extra cost for this study visit.

– Sustainability Walk: Explore Kalamata’s city center, recording elements of a sustainable city and discussing how these concepts can be applied in schools.

– Permaculture Farm Visit: Engage in environmental education activities at a local permaculture farm, learning how to introduce ecological gardening in your school.

– Historical Site Visit: Discover sustainability principles used in the past and explore ways to incorporate these principles into modern-day life and education. There is no extra cost for these outdoor activities.

Social Programme:

An optional social programme is available for participants who wish to further explore local culture and engage in intercultural exchanges. The programme may include dinners at local restaurants, intercultural nights, and excursions. Participants cover their own costs for meals, drinks, and any optional excursions, including van transportation or museum tickets.

Who is this Course For?

This course is ideal for school principals, vice-principals, and teachers who are eager to integrate sustainability principles into their teaching and school environments. It’s perfect for educators looking to inspire their students to become more responsible, active participants in shaping a sustainable future.

Tailored to Your Needs:

– The course is highly customizable, starting with a pre-course questionnaire to ensure that training is adapted to each participant’s needs and experience.

– After the course, you’ll receive comprehensive materials, lesson plans, and resources to implement in your own classroom.

Duration and flexibility:

The course is typically 7 days at a cost of €560, but adjustments can be made for shorter or longer courses depending on grant requirements.

Venue and flexibility:

We offer our standard courses at Kalamata, a nice sea-side city in the south of Greece famous for its eponymous olives and olive oil.

It’s a quiet top golf destination and the Telegraph has included it in Europe’s 13 must-visit cities. Here’s a taster video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9lpkTfvR8Y&ab_channel=%CE%94%CE%AE%CE%BC%CE%BF%CF%82%CE%9A%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%B1%CE%BC%CE%AC%CF%84%CE%B1%CF%82

Would you like to know what else you can in Kalamata? Check this site: https://experienceskalamata.com/

But, would you like to have the course at another part of Greece or country? Drop us a line to see what we can do for you!

Course confirmation

We have never canceled a course. We offer our standard courses only at our headquarters in Kalamata and only a few times per year. As a result, on top of being able to offer quality services all around, we do not have to meet any certain number of participants to cope with expenses.

Join a European Community:

As part of a European-wide initiative, this course offers you a valuable opportunity to collaborate with peers from across Europe, contributing to your professional growth while deepening your European identity.

Available Dates

• 2024
  • 18.02.2024 – 24.02.2024
  • 14.04.2024 – 20.04.2024
  • 12.05.2024 – 18.05.2024
  • 30.06.2024 – 06.07.2024
  • 03.11.2024 – 09.11.2024
• 2025
  • 16.02.2025 – 22.02.2025
  • 04.05.2025 – 10.05.2025
  • 06.07.2025 – 12.07.2025
  • 02.11.2025 – 08.11.2025

Accommodation

During your stay here you can stay wherever you want. However, we do propose accommodation, which we can book for you and from which we offer free transfers to all course sites and activities.

Pre-payments

We do not ask for money upfront. You can pay whenever you want including when you arrive here.