Introduction 

The project "Stand for the Future" focused on promoting sustainability and cultural awareness among students and staff at Tallinna Humanitaargümnaasium. Through this initiative, participants will engage in student mobilities and teacher training programs across Europe, with a strong emphasis on integrating UNESCO's Sustainable Development Goals into the school curriculum. The project also aims to enhance language learning and cross-cultural communication, helping students and staff alike to become more active global citizens. Collaboration with other European schools further strengthens the project's goals of fostering long-term partnerships and educational exchanges.
 

Project blog

 

1st meeting 
 

The first exchange week for the Erasmus+ project Stand for the Future in Orivesi, Finland (31.10 - 4.11.2023), brought together secondary school students from Orivesi and Tallinn for an immersive and collaborative experience centered on sustainability, cultural exchange, and personal well-being.

The week began with presentations by students from both schools, introducing their schools, cities, and countries. This was an important opportunity for students to learn more about each other's backgrounds and cultures. Following these presentations, ice-breaking activities were held to help participants build friendships and create a comfortable environment for working together.

Throughout the week, students worked in international groups on various sustainability-related projects. One of the main tasks was to film short videos answering important questions such as "What can you do to live a more sustainable lifestyle?" and "What can you do for the environment and your well-being?" These videos encouraged students to think critically about their role in promoting sustainability, both personally and within their communities. 

As part of the exchange, students visited a recycling centre in Orivesi, where they learned about local waste management practices and the importance of recycling for the environment, also explored a second-hand shop. These visits gave students practical insights into how small changes in lifestyle can contribute to a more sustainable future.

In addition to the structured activities, students found creative ways to spend their free time together, further strengthening the bonds between the groups. 

This exchange week not only enhanced the students' understanding of sustainability and well-being but also fostered a sense of global citizenship and collaboration. Through presentations, hands-on projects, and shared experiences, the participants left with new perspectives on how they can make a positive impact on the environment and their personal lives, making the Stand for the Future project a truly meaningful experience.

 

2nd meeting 

From January 15th to 19th, 2024, our school hosted an Erasmus+ project in collaboration with our partner school from Orivesi, Finland. This exchange brought together upper secondary students to work on a project centered around conceptual photography, aimed at raising awareness for UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals. 

The week began with team-building activities, fostering unity among the students from both countries. Drawing inspiration from the Fotografiska gallery, the students focused on five of the 17 UNESCO goals, conducting research and developing conceptual photography projects to highlight key global challenges. Divided into groups, they worked diligently to create thought-provoking images that reflect their chosen goals.

The final result of their efforts will be showcased in an exhibition at our school this spring, where the students' impactful visual narratives will be on display. Alongside the academic and creative work, students enjoyed cultural activities, including ice skating and socializing in local cafes, making this week a blend of learning, creativity, and cultural exchange.

We extend our sincere gratitude to our partner school in Orivesi and to all the students who participated, contributing to the success of this meaningful Erasmus+ project. We look forward to continuing our collaborative efforts towards positive global change.


 

3rd meeting 

From January 22nd and 25th, 2024,  our school  hosted a week-long Erasmus+ project with 7th-grade students, in collaboration with our partners from Orivesi, Finland. The focus of the exchange was sustainability, particularly Upcycling and the issues of fast fashion and overconsumption. The week began with team-building activities and a school tour, followed by a screening of the film *Moest väljast*, which set the stage for creative workshops. Students visited a second-hand shop to select clothing for their Upcycling projects, transforming these items into unique works of art during workshops on the 5R Theory. The highlight of the week was a fashion show where students showcased their Upcycling creations. Alongside these educational activities, students enjoyed ice skating, visiting local cafes, and exploring the trampoline center. This exchange was a wonderful example of international collaboration, creativity, and sustainability in action. 

 

Dissemination event

Video from the event: Maailmapäev 07.05.2024 (youtube.com)

On May 7th, 2024, our school held a special event to disseminate the results of the Erasmus+ project, Stand for the Future. This event showcased a range of sustainability-focused initiatives led by students, highlighting the achievements made during the project and promoting further engagement with environmental and UNESCO-related goals.

One of the key attractions of the event was a fashion show organized by secondary school students, which centered on upcycling previously worn clothes. Some of the items featured were created during the exchange week in Estonia, while others were crafted by ohter secondary school students under the guidance of our handicrafts teacher. Students produced creative, eco-friendly designs, demonstrating not only their artistic skills but also their critical thinking about the environmental impact of fashion and the value of reusing materials.

In another educational activity, secondary school students worked closely with the project team to develop sustainability-related questions for a Kahoot quiz designed for primary school students. Together with primary school teachers, these students engaged in the quiz, learning more about sustainable practices and how they could implement these ideas in their daily lives.

A school flea market was also organized during the dissemination event, where students and staff had the opportunity to buy and sell second-hand items. This initiative emphasized the importance of reusing and recycling, helping to reduce waste and fostering a sense of community involvement in sustainability efforts.

The dissemination day also featured the unveiling of a student-created photo wall/exhibition, which used conceptual photography to illustrate several UNESCO Sustainable Development Goals. The photos were produced during the exchange week in Estonia, and the wall was completed later in the school year. During the event, project participants hosted an official opening ceremony for the exhibition, where they shared their thoughts and experiences related to the project.

Another creative highlight of the project was an opening ceremony for the Graffiti murals showing endangered animals and birds native to Estonia.

The Stand for the Future project has successfully raised awareness about sustainability, inspired creative expression, and encouraged the entire school community to actively engage in efforts toward a more sustainable and responsible future. All information from the event is available on the school’s website for the wider community to explore. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hYZlbOY6aoE
 

4th meeting

The exchange week for the Erasmus+ project Stand for the Future in Orivesi, Finland, brought together upper secondary school students from Orivesi and Tallinn for a dynamic and enriching experience focused on sustainability, teamwork, and personal development.

The week kicked off with ice-breaking activities that helped students from both schools get to know each other even more and build friendships right from the start. This set the tone for a collaborative and engaging week filled with workshops and hands-on projects.

One of the standout workshops focused on bees, with invited lecturers who were passionate bee enthusiasts. This session provided valuable insights into the role bees play in our ecosystems and how their preservation is crucial for sustainability. Another notable session was the Baltic Sea workshop, where students explored environmental challenges facing the Baltic region and discussed solutions to protect this vital body of water.

Throughout the week, participants worked on filming and post-production for educational videos centered around UNESCO goals, sustainability, and emotional well-being. These videos, which highlighted the connection between mental health and sustainable living, were produced as a creative way to raise awareness in their communities. The students took ownership of the project, from scripting to filming and editing, resulting in powerful messages that were shared within their schools and beyond.

Team-building activities played an essential role in fostering strong bonds among the students. Together, they participated in fun and collaborative events such as making pizza, going on inspirational walks, and engaging in other group tasks. These activities not only strengthened teamwork but also encouraged creativity and problem-solving in a relaxed, enjoyable atmosphere. In their free time, students came up with different ways to spend time together.

The exchange week also provided a platform for students to express their cultural backgrounds and build lasting friendships. In addition to formal workshops, students shared ideas on sustainability and ways they could apply these principles in their daily lives. The week was packed with activities that left a lasting impact, including the creation of meaningful relationships between the Finnish and Estonian students.
Link to educational videos https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/18u7VfVHLMOl0nf0t4mdpv7HQFzEQVEdi
 

 

Teachers' training courses and job shadowing
 

Innovative Teaching Methods for Teachers, School, and Adult Education Staff

The course "Innovative Teaching Methods for Teachers, School, and Adult Education Staff" took place in Palermo from January 28, 2024, to February 3, 2024. Teachers from our school Jekaterina Fiter and Anna Pushina had the unique opportunity to participate in this course. 

Discussions focused on the power of non-formal education through visual strategies, and Kolb's experiential learning cycle was explored through team-building games and activities. The process was analyzed, dividing it into reflection and conceptualization, to ensure that students play an active role in the learning process. "Gamification" was introduced by examining its principles, possibilities, applications, and tools that could enable participants to address modern educational challenges and adapt the learning process to the needs and profiles of students.

Another important topic of the course was project-based learning, an effective method for students to explore various content directly and meaningfully, starting with a central question and aiming to investigate real-world problems. By analyzing the principles of PBL, participants discovered how teamwork, collaboration, and creativity help students find ways to tackle real-life problems, engage in strategic learning, and begin their search for answers. Throughout the week, innovative teaching methods with ICT were examined: various tools were practiced during lessons, learning new ways to engage students and design and display lessons.
This course allowed participants to understand how to work with a more innovative approach in their classrooms. Finally, participants joined a type of treasure hunt, using ICT tools to explore Palermo and practice the power of outdoor learning in a very enjoyable way. Through this activity, some of the benefits of outdoor education became evident, such as increased motivation and creativity, as well as improved psychophysical well-being due to exposure to nature and the resulting reduction in stress.
It was a week full of challenges and inspiration.
 

Job shadowing in Orivesi

In mid-April, teachers from our school Alina Keerd ja Sten Sakson participated in a five-day Job Shadowing project in Finland, visiting the small town of Orivesi. The visit was organized as part of our school’s Erasmus+ project titled “Stand for the Future,” aimed at enhancing sustainability education, fostering international collaboration, and advancing teacher professional development.

During the visit, our teachers were introduced to the Finnish education system, focusing on modern pedagogical methods, sustainability education, and student engagement strategies. The key focus was on understanding innovative approaches to teaching, with an emphasis on integrating the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into the curriculum. This aligns with our objective to foster environmental awareness and active participation among students and staff in sustainability practices.

One of the primary goals of this mobility was to observe how Finnish schools implement sustainable practices in both the curriculum and daily activities. This included the integration of project-based learning and practical, real-world problem-solving tasks that encourage active student engagement. Our teachers attended lessons, engaged in discussions with Finnish educators, and explored methods that foster critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration in the classroom, aligning with the objectives of our Erasmus+ project to develop and implement Unesco-related activities.

The visit also offered valuable insights into cultural exchange and language improvement, fulfilling one of the project’s key aims: increasing opportunities for language and cultural learning for both teachers and students. The experience provided participants with a deeper understanding of how to integrate these intercultural competencies into their teaching, ultimately benefiting our school’s diverse student body.

In addition, the teachers involved are now planning to implement several new strategies and approaches in the upcoming academic year. This includes embedding sustainability concepts into various subjects, enhancing students' digital skills, and adopting modern teaching methodologies that foster active learning and collaboration. These actions align with our school's commitment to lifelong learning, as outlined in our strategic development plan, which prioritizes continuous teacher training and the development of a sustainable educational framework.

The Job Shadowing project not only strengthened our school’s European partnerships but also advanced our goals of fostering European citizenship among students and teachers, supporting our long-term strategy of collaboration with European schools.

Building a Sustainable Future

 

At the end of May, teachers from Tallinna Humanitaargümnaasium, Kirsi Kajamäe-Novikov and Liina Uutar, participated in the Erasmus+ training "Building a Sustainable Future" held in Porto, Portugal.

During the training, participants learned from and drew inspiration from local experts in Porto. They explored environmental issues, not only in Portugal but also globally, with a focus on finding solutions. Since Porto is one of the European cities aiming to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030, the training included an overview of the innovations already implemented in the city, ongoing development projects, and innovative future plans. The learning took place through formal classroom sessions, seminars, and field trips.

Given Porto’s location on the Atlantic coast, the city constantly battles coastal pollution. On the one hand, efforts are made to prevent waste from reaching the beaches in this windy and busy tourist city, while on the other hand, they tackle the debris washed ashore by the waves. Participants were introduced to statistics to understand the seriousness of the problem and went on a field trip to a local beach. They examined the current situation at the beach and learned about strategies to mitigate the issue—such as the use of different types of trash bins, regular volunteer beach cleanups, and the city's organized removal of large waste.

The participants also visited the local waste sorting center, Lipor. The center demonstrated waste sorting principles and processes, the functioning circular economy, and innovative solutions to educate the community on waste separation, recycling, and reuse.

The training was highly motivating and inspiring, offering numerous opportunities to network with colleagues from various cultures. In addition to gaining environmental knowledge, the teachers improved their English language skills and broadened their perspectives. The teachers who participated in the project already have many plans on how to bring what they learned to their students in the coming academic year. 

Introducing Sustainability through Game-Based Learning and Gamification

From May 13 to May 18, 2024, two teachers from our school, Olga Markova and Anna Iljina, participated in a professional development course in Madrid titled "Introducing Sustainability through Game-Based Learning and Gamification." The course aimed to explore innovative teaching methods to integrate sustainability into the classroom through engaging, game-based approaches.

Participants were introduced to the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and learned how to incorporate them into lesson plans using various digital tools and platforms. Among the tools demonstrated were Genially, Blooket, Canva, Plickers, AhaSlides, Goosechase, and ClassDojo—all designed to foster interactive and dynamic learning environments.

 

The training emphasized collaborative work, enhancing lesson-planning skills, and using playful approaches to learning, all with the goal of increasing student engagement while addressing critical global issues. The teachers found the experience enriching, gaining new strategies to make sustainability education both fun and impactful in their classrooms. 

This training represents a valuable step in aligning our educational practices with modern pedagogical trends and the global need for sustainability awareness.