Project “Green schools”

Guest post by Ecoist Creative Network (ECN)

http://www.ecoist.rs/

http://www.facebook.com/ZeleneSkole

ECN is composed of students and young professionals from a variety of fields – architecture, landscape architecture, management and ecology – with a mission to promote the importance of green and sustainable areas in urban environments.

“Following the workshop of greenscaping a school in Belgrade in 2012, project “Green schools” was initialized by Ecoist, Ecoist Creative Network (ECN) and company Vitaverde.

“Green schools” is going to be implemented for the first time in primary school Drinka Pavlovic in Belgrade, since this school particularly focuses on ecology with establishment of ”Eco-musketeers” group of pupils.  The purpose of this project is to educate children about green design, using creative learning through practice and experience, which is considered to be the best way for children to adopt principles of sustainability as an addition to traditional methods of teaching.

First stage of the project is the creation of educational vertical gardens and an outdoor classroom in the school’s courtyard. The vertical gardens will consist of four segments – Medicinal, Butterfly, Spice and Aromatic garden – with plants and descriptive banners with interesting stories from ecology, history, chemistry, biology and other sciences.

The project ”Green Schools” will connect not only the school and pupils, but also local community and other stakeholders that will, through joint creation of green neighborhoods, promote all principles of sustainability – environmental, economical, cultural and social.

After implementation, pupils and local community will take care of the vertical gardens and the outdoor classroom, relaxing and reconnecting with a natural environment, improving their social skills through teamwork and practical activities.

The mission of project “Green schools” is not only to create one such space, but to create a domino effect that will spark other schools in Serbia and the region to join the project. All interested parties and schools are welcome to support this project or join by suggesting a school for the next ”Green school”.”