How a European Project and Turkish Partnerships Are Inspiring Environmental Awareness and Collaboration

Can you describe the unique social and cultural environment of your school?

Nearly half of the students come from challenging circumstances, including being refugees, part of broken families, inclusive students (students with special needs), or those from families facing severe economic hardship. Many of these students experience one or more of these disadvantages. The school is situated in a socioeconomically disadvantaged area, where students often face significant challenges in social and economic integration.

What are the current educational challenges faced by schools in Adana (South of Turkey)?

Schools in Adana face numerous challenges, much like other cities in Turkey. Many students in state schools come from economically disadvantaged families, with poverty limiting access to quality education. Overcrowded classrooms and insufficient resources are common. Additionally, Turkey hosts a significant number of refugee children who face barriers to integration and language acquisition.

How are digital tools and artistic approaches currently integrated into teaching at your school?

Although the school is located in a disadvantaged area with limited facilities, it actively engages students in activities that incorporate digital tools and artistic approaches. For example, the Green Tales project highlights these efforts. The school’s technology lab, equipped with about ten computers, supports students in developing digital skills. Workshops and project-based activities also nurture creativity and provide opportunities beyond traditional learning.

In what ways has Green Tales contributed to fostering creativity among students and teachers?

As part of the Green Tales Project, the scriptwriting phase was successfully completed. This phase focused on enhancing students' creativity and language skills. Through scriptwriting, students expressed themselves, developed teamwork abilities, and gained a global perspective, aligning with the project's objectives on environmental awareness.

How do you see Green Tales influencing the future of education in your region and beyond?

The Green Tales project has shown that integrating artistic approaches and digital tools in education can boost students’ motivation. The scriptwriting process clearly demonstrated this. Additionally, the project, although a small step toward internationalization for the school, could inspire other schools in the region to embrace international collaborations in the future.

What do you think is the most significant European benefit or contribution of the Green Tales project?

The most significant contribution of the project is fostering environmental awareness among children while enhancing essential skills such as digital literacy, creativity, teamwork, and collaboration.

Interview conducted by Panodyssey With Figen YILMAZ & Eda KAHYALAR from Çukurova University, School of Foreign Languages. Discover their insights and projects on their official website.

How has Green Tales changed the way students perceive and engage with ecological issues?

The project educated students on key environmental issues such as climate change, pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. Through workshops, they learned about the impact of human actions on the planet, fostering a positive shift in their attitudes and behavior.

Could you share any notable moments or achievements with Green Tales in your classroom?

Turkish students met online with their counterparts in Iceland, sharing their experiences with the Green Tales project. This exchange was a notable and unforgettable moment for the children.

How do students and teachers collaborate differently thanks to Green Tales?

Drama and role-play activities have become valuable tools for encouraging cooperation. Workshops provide opportunities for students to collaborate in large groups, completing tasks such as writing stories. Additionally, students and teachers from Turkey and Iceland closely collaborate to create animated movies, introducing a new and innovative form of teamwork.

What impact do you see Green Tales having on students' sense of European identity and cultural awareness?

Green Tales provides students in Turkey with cross-border experiences through collaboration with Icelandic students. The creative activities in the project promote knowledge about Europe and the EU, fostering a stronger European identity and more positive intergroup attitudes among children.

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