Sciacca 1st visit(en translation)

The school Liceo Scientifico Statale “Enrico Fermi”, Sciacca

Day 1

The first day at the reception school was full of positive energy and a warm welcome. The headmistress, deputy headmistress and coordinating teachers of the project welcomed us with welcoming speeches, giving us a first taste of Italian hospitality.

Then, in the school auditorium, the event opened with the European anthem and the national anthem, followed by Italian songs by the school choir, creating a moving atmosphere.

After the presentation of the programme in German and Italian, the leaders from each country took the floor, explaining their expectations and objectives.

We were then taken to the venue, where the students’ presentations of their school and the results of the ecological footprint questionnaire were made.

Afterwards, we enjoyed a lunch with local flavours, and the day ended with a celebration for the students with singing and dancing, which set a happy tone for the beginning of our cooperation.

In the afternoon we visited the town hall, where we were welcomed by the mayor and his associates with great warmth. During the meeting, the mayor shared with us information about the city, its history and culture, and stressed the importance of cooperation and exchange of experiences between European countries. His colleagues, in turn, referred to initiatives promoting interculturalism and education, giving us a clear picture of the values and vision of the local community.

The day ended with a special tour of the city by the Italian students, who showed us the most characteristic points and monuments of the area. They enthusiastically shared with us stories and details about the history and culture of their city, making us feel part of the local life. This walk was a great opportunity to build relationships and get to know the city through the eyes of its inhabitants.

Day 2

The second day of the programme started with an Italian lesson for the students.

Afterwards, the Erasmus+ team visited the Lago Arancio dam, where we had the opportunity to admire the impressive landscape and learn more about the history and operation of the dam.

During the tour, the local guides explained the importance of the dam for the region, both in terms of water supply and agricultural development. They also presented us with information about the local flora and fauna, as well as the ecological role of the lake. This visit provided us with valuable knowledge and brought us closer to the natural environment of the area.

After visiting the dam, we continued our journey to the picturesque village of Sambuca di Sicilia, where the students had the opportunity to get to know the rich cultural heritage and the authentic beauty of the place.

Our tour was concluded with a traditional lunch, where the students enjoyed local specialties and tasted authentic Sicilian flavors, ideally concluding their experience in the village.

Day 3

The third day of the program started with our visit to the “Marevivo Centro Educazione Ambientale” in the Sferracavallo area.

It is an environmental education centre dedicated to protecting the marine environment and raising awareness of ocean sustainability. There, the students had the opportunity to learn about the actions carried out by Marevivo to preserve marine life and protect the coastline from environmental degradation. They were informed about the marine protected area of Capo Gallo and the island of Isola Delle Femmine, Scatola del Mare.

The information provided focused on the main threats facing the seas, such as plastic pollution, climate change and overfishing.

Through interactive workshops and presentations, students learned about the impact of pollution on marine biodiversity and the ways in which they can help reduce their environmental footprint.

During the visit, special mention was made of Poseidonia, a marine plant of exceptional importance for the Mediterranean ecosystem. The Centre’s experts explained that Poseidonia, also known as the “forest of the sea”, plays a vital role in the conservation of marine biodiversity. Its dense areas provide shelter and food for many species of fish and marine organisms, while helping to protect the coastline from erosion. In addition, Posidonia has the ability to absorb large amounts of carbon dioxide, helping to reduce climate change and maintain clean water.

This experience at Marevivo Centro Educazione Ambientale was a unique opportunity for the students to understand the importance of marine ecology and their own responsibility as global citizens to protect our planet.

Ακολούθησε το μεσημεριανό γεύμα και ολιγόωρη χαλάρωση δίπλα στη θάλασσα.

The Erasmus+ team then headed to the new port of Palermo.

here we were welcomed by the architect and the project engineer for a private tour. During the visit, we learned about the vision and planning that led to the creation of the port, which is now an important connection point for the city, as well as a centre for commercial and cultural activities.

The project managers explained to us the challenges they faced during construction, as well as the innovative solutions implemented to ensure the functionality and sustainability of the port.

Most importantly, they showed us the technological solutions adopted to save water, a major challenge in projects of this scale. They emphasised the use of modern systems that reduce water wastage, either through recycling or through smart technologies that control consumption in the port facilities.

The visit ended with a beautiful, special presentation just for our group: a wonderful show with water jets and music, which created a magical atmosphere. The combination of the modern design of the port with this artistic event reinforced the sense of innovation and creativity that underlies the project, while highlighting the harmonious collaboration between architecture and environmental sustainability.

4th day

Η επίσκεψη της ομάδας Erasmus+ στην Κοιλάδα των Ναών στο Αγκριτζέντο ήταν μια από τις πιο εντυπωσιακές και εμπνευσμένες στιγμές του προγράμματος.

The archaeological park of the Valley of the Temples, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, took us back in time to ancient Greece and its culture.

During our tour, we had the opportunity to see the Temple of Omonia (Tempio della Concordia), one of the best preserved Doric temples, as well as the Temple of Hercules and other impressive structures that highlight the architectural and religious importance of the area.

Students had the opportunity to interact with history through activities designed to encourage creative thinking and cultural exchange. The sense of scale and majesty of these ancient monuments, combined with the educational context of the visit, gave participants a deeper understanding of the ancient history of Sicily and the role it played in European civilisation.

After our visit to the Valley of the Temples, we headed to the impressive swimming pools of Agrigento. These swimming pools, known for their unique natural beauty, are one of the hidden gems of the area. These natural pools have been formed by water flowing through rocks, creating a series of small waterfalls and crystal clear pools.

At the same time, during the tour, participants had the opportunity to explore various species of trees growing in the area. From olive trees and citrus trees to impressive vineyards, the flora of Sicily reflects the biodiversity and rich agricultural heritage of the island. Students had the opportunity to learn about the cultivation and importance of these plants to the local economy, and the contact with nature added a special dimension to their cultural experience.

Our day was completed with a visit to an orange grove in the area of Ribera, which is also called the “city of oranges” as it is famous for the quality of the oranges produced there.

There we had the opportunity to learn about organic farming and the sustainable use of water. The farm managers presented the methods they use to grow oranges without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, thus ensuring the production of high quality products and the preservation of soil and ecosystem health.

A particularly interesting part of the visit was the reference to the water saving techniques applied in the orange grove. The students learned about modern irrigation methods, such as drip irrigation, which help to reduce water waste and make efficient use of natural resources. This example of sustainable agriculture gave students the opportunity to think about how agriculture can adapt to modern environmental challenges.

The visit to the orange grove was not only an introduction to how citrus is grown, but also an experience that highlighted the importance of protecting the environment and adopting green practices in all areas of production.

Day 5

On the 5th and final day of the assignment, students worked in mixed groups to complete timelines on sustainability and sustainability in different historical periods in Europe. Each group took on a specific time period, analysing how societies and states in Europe have approached the concept of sustainability in different areas such as agriculture, industry, natural resource management and environmental policies.

At the end of the activity, the groups presented their timelines, highlighting the most important events and their impact on contemporary sustainability practices.

At the end of the day, in an emotional atmosphere, the students were awarded their certificates of participation. The teachers from all countries expressed their joy and pride in the effort and cooperation of the students during the work.

The students had the opportunity to share their impressions and say goodbye with wishes for future cooperation.

The last evening of the programme was crowned with a warm and friendly dinner, where students and teachers exchanged experiences, feelings and memories of the days we spent together. The atmosphere was full of smiles and emotion.

Departure day from Italy

In a warm atmosphere and with words full of emotion and smiles we said goodbye to the students from other countries. With many memories and promises for future meetings