Empowering Youth for a Greener Future

Empowering Youth for a Greener Future:

Hands-On Sustainability and Education Initiatives in 2022

We view education as a key component of sustainable transformation. Our aim is to go beyond simply imparting knowledge, offering young people active, hands-on, and solution-oriented approaches. In 2022, we organized various project days at six different schools in Erfurt and Thuringia.

At the Lyonel Feininger Gymnasium Mellingen and the Marie-Elise Kayser School, the focus was on sustainably designing the schoolyard by building furniture from pallets. Through non-formal educational workshops, we taught upcycling, design, and craftsmanship techniques, resulting in creations such as seating furniture, beach chairs, and a swap shelf.

At the Marie-Elise Kayser School, students decorated pallet furniture as part of the initiative.

At the Gemeinschaftsschule Am Großen Herrenberg (GEM04), we conducted a project day focused on waste. Seven specialists worked to engage 7th-grade students, developing follow-up project ideas. Activities included designing posters and signs, creating stop-motion films, and making a “waste map.” This project served as the launch of a campaign addressing contemporary waste issues.

We also participated in the “Sustainably in Balance” project at GS3 Am Kleinen Herrenberg. Over five project days, two of which involved Next Level, 2nd-grade students explored topics related to waste and health. The initial two project days emphasized balancing movement and relaxation through creative games, breathing exercises, and yoga, helping children develop a better understanding of their bodies. On the remaining three days, students unleashed their creativity by designing balance boards and practicing a balance choreography.

At the Otto-Lilienthal School, the focus was primarily on transcultural education. To mark the Festival of Diversity, Next Level e.V. organized intercultural music workshops.

In July 2022, a project day was held at the IGS23 Erfurt biotope. Under the guidance of two members of our association and teachers from the IGS, students from grades 5-10 took part in activities including planting new flora, creating new beds, maintaining existing areas, and performing cleanup and waste removal tasks.

At IGS23, we also supervised two weekly afternoon clubs: the Biotope Club and the Woodworking Club. The Biotope Club focuses on maintaining the biotope and creatively working with natural materials, while the Woodworking Club aims to enhance craftsmanship skills, often involving upcycling projects.