EkoEksperymentarium

Tool/methodology name:

EkoEksperymentarium (EcoExperimentarium)

Location:

Poland 

Type of initiative:

Protection of natural heritage

Climate change

Target groups

Primary school students, families

Objectives

To promote eco-friendly habits and increase awareness of environmental issues among children and their families.

Description

EkoEksperymentarium is a comprehensive educational initiative that combines physical and digital elements to promote environmental awareness and sustainable living practices across Poland. This innovative project consists of three main components: an interactive traveling exhibition, an extensive online platform, and a series of educational games.

The heart of EkoEksperymentarium is its interactive exhibition, which simulates an eco-friendly home environment. This traveling installation visits various cities in Poland, offering hands-on learning experiences for visitors. As participants move through the simulated apartment, they engage with different interactive stations designed to teach about sustainable living practices. In the living room, visitors learn about energy and water conservation, while the kitchen area focuses on proper waste segregation and reducing food waste. The bathroom section emphasizes water conservation techniques, and the children's room demonstrates creative ways to reuse and repurpose everyday items.

Complementing the physical exhibition is a comprehensive online platform, which serves as the largest ecological education resource for children and youth in Poland. This free, easily accessible website offers a wealth of materials without requiring login or installation. It features a set of online lessons about sustainable development goals, scrollable "eco-lessons" that combine knowledge, games, videos, and infographics, allowing students to explore selected topics in 45-minute sessions.

Results

The initiative has led to increased environmental awareness and adoption of sustainable practices among young people and their families at local and regional levels. It has also provided greater support for teachers to deliver engaging, curriculum-aligned environmental education. The combination of physical exhibitions and digital resources has allowed the EcoExperimentarium to reach a wider audience, making a significant impact on environmental education across the country.

Innovative elements

EkoEksperymentarium stands out for its use of interactive and hands-on activities that make learning about sustainability fun and engaging. By combining physical exhibitions with digital resources, it creates comprehensive learning experiences accessible to a wide audience. The initiative's integration of environmental education with the national curriculum and STEAM approaches, along with its provision of free, easily accessible online resources, demonstrates a forward-thinking approach to widespread environmental education.

Additional information