European project develops innovative learning environments for environmental education of the future

In addition to evaluating the project, the KU primarily contributes its technical expertise in the field of Service Learning. Service Learning is a form of teaching and learning in which students apply theoretical knowledge in practice by actively participating in charitable projects. They become socially or ecologically involved, reflect on their experiences in the course or classroom and learn to take on social responsibility. The concept of biophilia is also taken into account when designing new learning environments.  It was described by the American biologist Edward O. Wilson. Wilson coined the term to explain the innate emotional affinity of humans to other living beings and to nature as a whole. The third pillar of the project is quite contrasting: the integration of digital tools and the metaverse in learning environments. By integrating digital elements into learning scenarios, the aim is to make the possibilities of digital technologies for teaching usable and visible. 

The project partners train each other in the three subject areas mentioned, develop and test teaching scenarios and reflect on them together. In addition, the knowledge gained is to be passed on through public relations work and further training events for teachers, thus reaching as many educational institutions throughout Europe as possible. 

SKYSS has set itself ambitious goals and wants to meet the challenges of the 21st century such as growing heterogeneity in the classroom, digital transformation, biodiversity loss and climate change or the need for civic engagement in a differentiated and inclusive way. 

A project currently being planned by the Spanish project partner shows what this could look like in practice. Here, pupils from a secondary school are programming leaf silhouettes of various trees with the help of a CAD program, milling them and printing them with a 3D printer. The artificial leaves created in this way will then be displayed in the community and in the forest as information boards with explanations. The connection between the various project pillars becomes visible here. The pupils learn and develop species knowledge and prepare their findings using modern technology. This knowledge is directly applied and shared through the design of the information boards. By setting up the boards in public spaces, the community can benefit from the work of the pupils. In addition, digital implementation – programming and creation with CAD and 3D printers – allows students to deepen their digital skills and design expertise. 

In order to review the implementation and effects of the new learning environments, the participating organizations form a continuous part of an evaluation process designed and coordinated by the KU. Ultimately, SKYSS wants to be able to make proven and effective teaching methods available to educational institutions throughout Europe.

After the official start of the SKYSS project at the end of October 2024, the project partners from the various countries met in person for the first time in January 2025. At the meeting in Verrès in the Italian Aosta Valley, after a workshop on biophilia led by an Italian partner, the KU presented the concept of service learning and trained the participants to integrate the method into their lessons. 

The project partners meet online several times a month. The next face-to-face meeting is planned to be held in Poland after Easter. In October 2025, the first best practice examples will be presented in an international online teacher training course. In the following project year, the focus will be placed more on integrating digital tools into the teaching scenarios. A computer game – based on Minecraft – is to be created here. The Eramus+ project will run for a total of three years until October 2027. Erasmus+ is a program of the European Union that promotes Europe-wide educational cooperation. SKYSS will be concluded with a final conference and training in Budapest.