Geopark GrenzWelten brings the earth into the classroom

Learning from the past for the future with fun and games: with this aim, Geopark GrenzWeltendesigns four lessons for third and fourth grade and brings numerous topics such as the shape of the earth, continental movement and fossils into the lessons. Interested schools have the opportunity to integrate this offer into the daily routine of their pupils.

Continents puzzle, numerous figures and real fossils, with the help of child-friendly materials, children learn basic things about the blue planet Earth in a playful way. But the Geopark not only imparts knowledge about the continents, oceans or the equator, but special "Geopark knowledge" is also on the curriculum. The class visit takes place within the framework of the UNESCO education initiative "Education for Sustainable Development". "ESD empowers children, young people and adults to think and act in a sustainable way. This programme aims to teach them how their own actions affect future generations or life in other regions of the world, so that they can use this knowledge to make responsible and sustainable decisions," explained District Administrator Jürgen van der Horst.

The GrenzWeltenNational Geopark was recently awarded the title of Education Provider for Sustainable Development by the State of Hesse. "Education for sustainable development, as a comprehensive educational concept, places high demands on pedagogical practice and the entire organisation of educational work. In order to receive the certificate, applicants must meet defined quality criteria and prove that they reach the primary target groups, pre-school and school, with their offers. In addition, the underlying educational standards must be taken into account," explained Kim Peis, project manager of the Geopark.

So far, the Geopark is bringing the past into third and fourth grade lessons. Soon, the offer will also be available for the fifth and sixth grades of secondary schools. Interested schools can contact the Geopark project office by email at geopark@lkwafkb.de or by phone at 05631 954-512. The Geopark provides all the materials needed for the lessons.

Caption: The third grade of the certified Geopark primary school in Olsberg-Bruchhausen visibly enjoyed the ESD module.