MEETENG IN SPAIN

MEETING IN BADAJOZ, SPAIN 3rd- 9th March 2012

The sixth project meeting of the project “ Hand in hand for the environment protection was held in Badajoz in March 2012. Twelve teachers and fifteen students from the associated countries participated in it. The students were hosted by Spanish families.

We tried to organise a varied and enriching programme. As for the work developed in our meetings during these days we concentrated on the dissemination of the last activities undertaken. Thus, each country made a presentation of a scale model using renewable energy sources done at each school. Spain presented a solar vehicle and other solar devices which had been done by students during the Technology lessons since October 2010, when our project was launched. Besides, a group of Spanish students presented their results on environmental problems studied observed through experiments on an Earth Simulator: greeenhouse effect, global warming, acid rain, etc. All the models produced by our students were also exposed in the room where we had the project meetings, so that all participants could have a look at them. We also displayed all the posters and leaflets done along the project as well as a collection of pictures from the previous meetings.

We also discussed details about the mobility in Bulgaria, trying to get our students hosted by Bulgarian families. The Bulgarian team refused this option, explaining the conditions and mentality of the families did not allow them to offer accommodation, but they compromised to compensate with meals for students.

Regarding the study visits, we organised a guided tour of a wine cellar in the town of Olivenza, a guided tour of a fighting Bulls livestock holding (sustainable explotation) in Valverde de Leganés, a guided visit of a pig farm (also sustainable) in Alburquerque and a guided visit of the Photovoltaic Solar Plant of Alburquerque. Our guests had the opportunity of getting some knowledge about how our wines and Iberian ham are produced, they could see bulls grazing in our “dehesas” and they understood better how a solar plant works.

The Spanish team also wanted their guests to admire some of our historical Heritage. We organised guided tours of our town, Badajoz, as well as of the towns of Olivenza, the Roman Mérida and Alburquerque, famous for its muslim and jewish legacy.

We did not want our guests to live without attending a flamenco show. Some students and a group of well- known flamenco singers performed their dances and songs in front of our guests.

We were all very happy to host our colleagues and their students and we also want to thank the Major of Badajoz, who welcomed us and gave us some gifts and all the parents involved in the project who collaborated with teachers and students before and during this meeting.