The Schools as Places for Food System Transformation Summer School is designed to introduce participants to the open school and living labs approach, which provides an effective framework for school leaders and teachers to engage, discuss, and explore: How can schools become innovation incubators and accelerators? The summer school will introduce the concept of schools as Living Labs. Living Labs are user-centered, open innovation ecosystems based on a systematic approach of user co-creation, integrating research and innovation processes in real communities and environments. We apply the Living Lab methodology as a technique of critical value at the heart of open school initiatives that strive, in collaboration with other stakeholders, to become agents of the common good by creating new partnerships in their local communities.
The Summer School exploits the synergy between the Living Labs methodology and citizen science by addressing the issue of the food system, which is a very current challenge for humanity, of great social, environmental and economic importance, and also of direct relevance to science education and ambitious current policies at the European level (FOOD 2030 Agenda). The European Commission expert group working on FOOD 2030 understands the food system as “all elements and activities related to the production, processing, distribution, preparation and consumption of food, as well as its disposal. This includes the environment, people, processes, infrastructures, institutions and the impact of their activities on our society, economy, landscapes and climate.” Another key element is the understanding of citizen science and civic engagement in food, which is introduced.
Goals
The Schools as sites for Food System Transformation Summer School 2022 aims to explore and introduce innovative practices and approaches (living lab methodology) to address the growing gap between consumption and food knowledge by engaging schools to (re)connect young people to the land. With the goal of better connecting schools to current research and the societal needs of the communities in which they live, the topic of food systems will serve as an ideal testing ground in which to establish Living Lab projects as an aspect that affects all communities.
Methodology
The school leverages the collaboration and interaction of community members by providing learning and information opportunities on critically important food issues for tomorrow’s responsible citizens. Selected innovative projects and actions at national and European level are presented by food system actors, to which educators are invited in collaboration with them not only to participate in the further implementation/acceleration of relevant food system innovations.
Practical learning opportunities such as growing school gardens, interdisciplinary food and food system projects, entrepreneurial initiatives, but also actions such as food waste prevention and proper waste management inside and outside the school are presented. Finally, activities will be designed according to an integrative approach based on the principles of Universal Design for Learning.
Preparation
To ensure adequate preparation for the course, an online platform will serve as a central hub for communication and sharing and distribution of preparation materials to participants. Through this platform, participants will have access to all the materials they need for their preparation (recommended reading, digital tools, relevant websites, guidelines and support materials, etc.) as well as a shared workspace. In addition, all information about the training course, such as the course description, program, travel and accommodation guidelines, will also be accessible through the website.
Participants will familiarize themselves with the training topics and course methodology by accessing the appropriate resources, materials, and tools. At this point, we would like to provide some ideas and guidelines for your preparation. The Summer School will use the SALL portal as a tool to develop innovative projects that meet society’s needs in the area of food system transformation. You can view the following resources/webinars:
- Schools as Living Labs: A Roadmap for Schools.
- Introducing RRI principles into your school projects.
- Follow-up, recognition, evaluation.
At the end of the course, after presenting their work on the last day of the course, participants will receive a training certificate confirming successful completion of the course and its objectives.
As members of the FoodSHIFT2030 community, participants will have access to support from the training team and will be able to communicate with other educators in European countries who share a common interest, exchange ideas and experiences, and collaborate on joint activities.
In order to assess whether and to what extent the course has achieved its objectives and expected results, participants are required to answer a series of questionnaires provided by the course providers during and at the end of the course. The results of the questionnaires/survey or a so-called evaluation report will be made available to all course participants.
Program
The program of the summer school will be announced shortly.
Fees & Funding
Course fee
The course fee is 420€ (70€/day) and is funded by the Erasmus+ program. The course fee includes:
Expert lecturers for lectures, seminars and workshops.
All materials and equipment needed for the course
Participation in the social program and excursions (e.g. sunset and dinner at Cape Sounio, excursion to the Acropolis and visit to the Acropolis Museum and dinner in downtown Athens, traditional evening and farewell dinner, etc.)
Board and lodging
The summer school will be held at the Golden Coast Hotel & Bungalows, an A-class/4-star seaside hotel located on the golden sandy beach of Marathon Bay near the historic town of Marathon on the outskirts of Athens.
We are pleased to offer all participants a single or double room with all-inclusive services (i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner, drinks and complimentary services for outdoor sports and recreational activities).
The cost of the stay is also within the ceilings of the Erasmus+ program for KA1 mobility activities.
Venue
The “Summer School” will take place at the Golden Coast Hotel & Bungalows, an A-class/4-star seaside hotel located on the golden sandy beach of Marathon Bay near the historic town of Marathon on the outskirts of Athens. It is the area of Marathon that has hosted from the times of myths, when Theseus killed the terrible bull of Marathon, to the times of the Persian wars and the Battle of Marathon, further to our days and the Marathon race, the emblematic symbol of man’s quest for freedom and the will to defend his noblest deeds, which are the foundations of human civilization. The abundance of natural and historical sites and museums of the region reveals in great detail this unique historical journey. Participants are expected to arrive via Athens International Airport, located approximately 25 km from the hotel.
ERASMUS+ How to apply
The participation of school leaders and teachers in the summer courses can be funded through the ERASMUS+ program.
If your school or organization does not have the funds to cover the cost of your participation in the summer school, there is another option: you can apply for funding through the ERASMUS+ program. Please note that the Erasmus+ KA1 application can only be submitted by the school or organization – no individual applications can be submitted.
The deadline for submitting the application is February 23, 2022.
What is Erasmus+?
Erasmus+ is the European Commission’s Education, Training, Youth and Sport program for the period 2021-2027. As an integrated program, Erasmus+ offers more opportunities for learner and staff mobility and cooperation in education, training and youth, and is more accessible than its predecessor programs, with simplified funding rules and a structure designed to streamline program management.
Erasmus+ Key Action 1 (KA1) provides a unique opportunity for teachers, school leaders, trainers and other staff of educational institutions to participate in international training courses in different European countries. Schools, universities, vocational training institutions and adult education organizations can receive full funding to attend courses under a KA1 mobility grant. The Erasmus+ KA1 grant covers all costs for participation in teacher training courses, including travel costs, subsistence costs and course fees.
For up-to-date information on Erasmus+, please visit the program’s website. Your school must submit an application to your country’s National Agency, which is also responsible for evaluating the proposal. Therefore, your National Agency is also a good contact point for further information. Don’t forget to read through the guide for the new program and you will know everything you need to know.
The steps to apply for an Erasmus+ KA1 mobility grant for school staff are:
- Fill in the application form for our summer school with your data. This is an individual application form, so if there are several participants from the same school, each one must submit a separate application form. This way you will have a place reserved in the course if your application for Erasmus+ funding is successful!
- Register your school/organization here: https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-esc/index/ , if you are not already registered.
- Check if the program criteria are met
- Check the financial conditions
- Fill in and submit the application form
- Meet the deadline
- Do not forget to inform us as soon as you find out from your National Agency whether your application has been accepted or rejected.All information about how to submit an Erasmus+ application can be found HERE.Are you interested in participating in the FoodSHIFT2030 Summer School? We will be happy to guide you through the process! Please contact us at kriviou@[ea.gr] if you need help and register here!