Foundation Conservation Carpathia brings ‘Nature in the Classroom’ within a caravan project that takes place in schools around the Făgăraș Mountains and includes film screenings, quizzes, debates about nature and a competition that can bring students a prize of camp participation. The project brings children closer to local natural values, raises awareness of climate change and environmental issues, and supports their involvement in local green actions. ‘Nature in the Classroom’ is a comprehensive caravan project in partnership with România Sălbatică and is aimed at pupils in grades 4 – 7.

The project is designed as a series of interactive meetings with students. Each session starts with a film screening about nature, continues with an engaging quiz based on the film and encourages free discussion on environmental and conservation issues. As part of the Nature in the Classroom caravan, students are also invited to form teams and enter a competition for the chance to win a three-day camp at the Richita Nature Exploration and Activity Centre, owned by Foundation Conservation Carpathia.

“Through the Nature in the Classroom Caravan, we bring the joy of discovering nature to schools,” says Ioana Duică, Education Specialist, Foundation Conservation Carpathia, “and the competition we are proposing challenges students and teachers to practice and put to good use the knowledge they have acquired at school in practical, nature- and people-friendly activities. Winners or not, all participants have the opportunity to take part in a unique learning experience.”

The caravan aims to reach children in grades 4 – 7 studying at schools in the following communities: Avrig, Arpașu de Jos, Cârțișoara, Cârța, Porumbacu de Jos, Racoviță, Turnu Roșu, Tălmaciu (Sibiu county), Arefu, Albeștii de Muscel, Bughea de Sus, Brăduleț, Cetățeni, Dragoslavele, Dâmbovicioara, Lerești, Nucșoara, Rucăr, Stoenești, Sălătrucu, Valea Mare Pravăț (Argeș county), Drăguș, Hârseni, Lisa, Recea, Șinca Nouă, Șinca Veche, Sâmbăta de Sus, Ucea, Viștea (Brașov county), Moroeni, Pucheni, Runcu (Dâmbovița county), Câineni, Boișoara, Perișani, Boița (Vâlcea county).

 

Green project competition

‘Nature in the Classroom’ challenges students’ imagination to develop environmentally friendly projects that benefit members of their community. One or more teams can be formed from each school, a team being a class and a coordinating teacher. The top 35 projects will be rewarded with a weekend camp at the Richita Nature Exploration and Activity Centre. The costs of the camps for the students are supported by Banca Comercială Română (BCR). The winning teams will have to implement the proposed projects.

Criteria for participation in the competition:

• one or more teams from each school may enter the competition, one team consisting of a class and their coordinating teacher
• each team may submit only one project
• the project proposed by the team must benefit members of the community to which the students belong
• the project must be a pragmatic learning experience for the team, translating the theory learned in different subjects into practical and interdisciplinary activities

Competition calendar:

– March – April, caravan running

– 30^th April deadline for submission of projects

– 1^st – 12^th May, evaluation of projects

– 13^th May, announcement of winner

–15^th May – 30^th September 2024, implementation of proposed projects

– October 2024 – June 2025, camps to be held

To participate in the competition, teams must fill in the following form and send it before 30^th April 2024 by email to Ioana Duică at: i.duica@carpathia.org