Our school is located in Hajnówka – a small town c. 30km from Belarussian border and at the edge of the Białowieża Forest. The forest is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of it is protected as the national park. It is known as one of most primeval woodlands in Europe and home to the European bison. On the one hand, our local community remains in a kind of isolation. On the other hand, we live in a place full of possibilities, e.g. for the tourist industry and services. Despite the natural beauty of the region and growing tourism, the town and the area are depopulating, not much employment is provided and the economy is shrinking. Moreover, loggings from the last few years have additionally divided the local community and heated the discussion of how to use the local natural resources and to protect nature at the same time. So, we find it crucial to educate our students on the natural values of the place and their potential. Also, at times of climate changes teenagers should also be aware of how important it is to protect wildness and to pass it on in good condition for future generations. For the sake of the local economy and demography, they should learn about sustainability, trends and needs there are for them in the future. The project, meetings with students from other countries, gaining a wider, European perspective will be very helpful. They will open their minds and see problems and solutions in different countries.
As many of our students come from homes with some economic difficulties, the project will let them travel abroad - often for the first time. They will practice their language skills and will be strongly motivated to learn. They will give presentations and hold discussions in English. Again, for many them it will be the first experience of this kind.
The teachers involved in the project can contribute to it a lot. The coordinator – Katarzyna Androsiuk, and her colleague Justyna Wasyluk will be permanently involved. They teach English and will provide linguistic support. They have also cooperated with the National Park, the local Nature Museum, scientific institutions, and with the State Forests. The coordinator has been long engaged in local environmental activities, worked with nature organizations and NGOs. Other colleagues from our school will also contribute – teachers of science, history, economy and politics can help prepare the students and discuss with them relevant topic. As our school has taken part in a few Comenius and Erasmus+ projects, we know how to manage project’s budget and plan the work in an efficient way.
As many of our students come from homes with some economic difficulties, the project will let them travel abroad - often for the first time. They will practice their language skills and will be strongly motivated to learn. They will give presentations and hold discussions in English. Again, for many them it will be the first experience of this kind.
The teachers involved in the project can contribute to it a lot. The coordinator – Katarzyna Androsiuk, and her colleague Justyna Wasyluk will be permanently involved. They teach English and will provide linguistic support. They have also cooperated with the National Park, the local Nature Museum, scientific institutions, and with the State Forests. The coordinator has been long engaged in local environmental activities, worked with nature organizations and NGOs. Other colleagues from our school will also contribute – teachers of science, history, economy and politics can help prepare the students and discuss with them relevant topic. As our school has taken part in a few Comenius and Erasmus+ projects, we know how to manage project’s budget and plan the work in an efficient way.
