Hosted by SALL , contributed by mariamiti on 27 June 2022
Background
Identifying a problem - conceptualizing their goal
At the initial stages of the planning process, the teacher informed the school administration and disseminated the SALL project in one of her classes. For this purpose, the teacher invited the University of Cyprus to present to the students the project and the Living Lab methodology. In this meeting, students brainstormed and discussed different project ideas (problems and solutions). Their project ideas were related either to topics they were interested in or to topics concerning their local community (near the school). After some follow-up discussions with their teacher, students chose to set the following two goals:
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Recycling paper, plastic, batteries at school.
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Promote paper packaging in local supermarkets, cafés and the school to minimize the use of plastic cups, straws and bags.
Aim
In this LL project, the students and teachers of the school are interested in addressing the need of minimizing the use of plastic in their community. The group of students from this school will explore this problem and try to offer solutions while co-operating with members of their community (e.g., the parents’ and guardians’ association, local cafés and supermarkets, the school canteen). With the support from these societal actors, the school community wishes to make a positive impact on their community by promoting the recycling of paper, plastic and batteries at school and by trying to convince the canteen of the school, the cafes and supermarkets in the area to minimize or eliminate the use of plastic glasses, straws and plastic bags.
Co-creation with societal actors
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The University of Cyprus presented to students the SALL project and the LL methodology and facilitated the brainstorming of ideas and solutions as an initial stage for formulating the aim of their project.
Picture 1: Students discuss project ideas with the NC
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The parents’ and guardians’ association had discussions with the students about equipping the school with recycling bins.
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Different supermarkets and other societal actors received a letter from the students and the school management, asking for their collaboration in the project and their contribution for the implementation of the project goals, starting with the goal of placing plastic and paper recycling bins in all classrooms, as well as a large plastic recycling bins in the school yard. Until now, one supermarket has replied positively to their proposition.
Picture 2: Letter to societal actors (e.g., supermarkets) for supporting the school
Implementation
Implementation - establishing collaborations
After deciding on their aim, students created a list of societal actors that they can approach to support them in different ways during the project. This list included, among others, the parents’ and guardians’ association, local supermarkets and cafes. Firstly, students approached the parents’ and guardians’ association to inform them about their aim of equipping the school with recycling bins. They decided to include the parents 'and guardians' association in the related actions.
Also, in order to make their participation in the SALL project widely known in the school, they performed the following three actions:
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Creation of a poster presenting the goals of their school project which was placed at the entrance of the school.
Picture 3: Poster created by students presenting the goals of their school project
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Construction of a sign with the goals of their project which was placed in the school's main entrance.
Picture 4: Sign with the goals of the school project in the school’s main entrance
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Placing the SALL logo in the classrooms’ windows.
Finally, students wrote and sent a letter to various societal actors asking for collaboration in the context of the SALL project. This letter was signed by the school management, the teacher-coordinator of the project and the students. The letter included general information about the SALL project (aims, methodology) and specific objectives of the school project, focusing on their first goal of the year (recycling bins in all classrooms and the main areas of the school). They received a positive response from a local supermarket.
Reflection
The students that formed this Living Lab were overly eager to participate in the project and to reach their goals. For example, they dedicated some of their spare time to the to meet and discuss as a group. The teacher also viewed the project as a great opportunity to include students with disabilities in this collaborative process.
Futurel Plans
The Living lab of this school has already created a plan for continuing their participation in the SALL project during the next two years in order to achieve their end goal. Their future plan is to establish new collaborations with local businesses and to introduce to the school a recycling process that can be easily implemented by everyone. They are also planning to specify the next steps of their project in order to inform and convince local businesses to use eco-friendly packaging for their products.