Köngener Burgschule starts groundbreaking project for a sustainable future!

Köngener Burgschule starts groundbreaking project for a sustainable future!

In the active community of Köngen, the Burgschule has launched an exciting pilot project dedicated to the United Nations' Sustainability Goals (SDGs). A cross-subject and cross-class learning format called “SeWi – Self-Effective Work” is being developed specifically for grades 5 to 8. The students are confronted with topics related to sustainability, justice and global responsibility in creative workshops for two to three hours a week. How esslinger-zeitung.de reports, the aim of the project is for the students to take responsibility for sustainable and social issues and to learn in a practice-oriented manner. The focus is on the 17 SDGs that are to be implemented by 2030.

But the school's agenda isn't just about learning about sustainability. In the past, students have initiated initiatives on environmental issues, such as a letter to the mayor pointing out the garbage problem at the pump track. Students can also gain practical experience by communicating with external partners and starting projects to prevent plastic waste, such as raising awareness of snack packaging. The teachers Julia Grundler and Nina Mayer developed the innovative learning format and it is generating great interest. The school council will pay a visit to the project, underlining the importance this initiative has for the school community.

Diverse topics and forms of learning

The concept not only promotes environmental awareness, but also focuses on the development of soft skills. Students learn to take responsibility and think creatively, for example in school garden projects. Gender equality is also a central topic that concerns the students. By questioning gender stereotypes, an awareness of equality is promoted. The SDGs, adopted by 193 UN member states on September 25, 2015, cover a wide range. This includes the fight against poverty, environmental protection, education for all, as well as protecting children's health and reducing inequalities, as UNICEF highlights in its call for the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals into teaching, which can be found at unicef.de can read.

The basic idea of ​​the project in Köngen shows that education is an important means of preparing the younger generation for the challenges of the future. Teachers worldwide are encouraged to motivate their students and actively work towards sustainable development. A variety of materials and lessons are made available online to help teachers, as can be found on the learning platform of various aid organizations.

The students' commitment to sustainable issues is clearly noticeable and is also strengthened by the support of local actors. A kick-off event is intended to give the starting signal for a network that takes the initiative to implement the SDGs in the region. Here, the creative spirit of young people is nurtured as they take on responsibility and develop innovative solutions to sustainable challenges.