Project description

Technology is progressing massively, especially in the robotics field. Today, robots perform various monotonous tasks. In the future, they may assume roles in many different types of industries. As robotics begins to play a larger role worldwide and in our own lives, we need to consider the environmental impact. Environmental problems are among the main problems of concern worldwide. Unfortunately, much of the work of different institutions on this issue is just about awareness. 

MAIN OBJECTIVE

The main idea of this project is to include students through challenging environmental issues and driving robots through the EU 2020 strategy. Climate change and energy are a central theme of the EU 2020 strategy objective: 

• Greenhouse gas emissions 20% below 1990 levels
• 20% of energy from renewable energy
• 20% increase in energy efficiency

GENERAL OBJECTIVES

1. Draw attention to global environmental challenges, climate change and renewable energy through robotics;
2. Inform students about renewable energy through the EU 2020 strategy;
3. Present creative ideas for doing something new in the atmosphere, ocean, homes, schools, roads, environment, ...
4. Find a way to solve an environmental problem, or overcome a challenge via educational robotics, through integration into the school curriculum.

Robotics activities are flexible and adaptable to the needs of specific student populations. LEGO and VEX Robotics have become popular with primary and secondary students. Teachers are becoming interested in bringing technology-driven and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) methodologies to class. 

We are six countries: Portugal, Turkey, Greece, Estonia, Poland and Latvia; we are experienced in Robotics and Environmental Projects and we aim to find creative solutions to partner countries’ environmental problems via robotics. Portugal will work on the challenges of the Ocean, Turkey on the challenges of Houses, Estonia on the challenges of Roads, Poland on the challenges of Atmosphere, Latvia on the challenges of Schools and Greece on the challenges of Nature. 

METHODOLOGY

The main activity methodology is the project based method. Using robotics, we will focus on environmental issues, preparing students for academic, personal and professional success, and to face the challenges of the world they will inherit. We will discuss the environmental problems and solutions of our partners in their countries and contribute to the development of creative solutions. 

RESULTS 

At the end of the project, each country's environmental problem will be addressed through Eco-Sustainable Robotics. The integration of ECO-Robotics into curricula will be established through project-based activities and results: 

• Electronic Catalog; 
• Public Report and Public Place; 
• “ECOClub”, “ROBOLAB” in each school; 
• Flyers / Posters / Banners / Logo; 
• Project Website / Youtube Channel / Facebook Page; 
• STEM academic results of EU 2020 students (4% in 1st year, 7% in 2nd year) 
• GREEN project rate increase; 
• eTwinning. 

IMPACT 

Participants are expected to become more active and competent in ecological and environmental projects. This project will be a revolution in education by integrating ECO-Robots into curricula. This "ECO-ROBOTS" revolution will be a step towards integrating robots into nature. We will cooperate for innovation and the exchange of good practices, which will be a source of inspiration for new solutions to environmental problems. LONG TERM, for our schools, this project will contribute to: 

• Increased use of green robots in school curricula; 
• Raise awareness of environmental issues and boost green robots; 
• Integrate educational robotics by teaching ecological and environmental topics in all lectures; 
• Increase projects on global environmental challenges and climate change; 
• Create environmentally friendly school clubs. 

INVOLVED SCHOOLS AND LEARNING ACTIVITIES (4 students + 2 teachers) 

• ECB (Portugal): November 2019 
• KABAZLI SEHIT ISMAIL YAVUZ ORTAOKULU (Turkey): February 2020 
• Kuressaare Gümnaasium (Estonia): May 2020 
• Zespol Szkolno-Przedszkolny (Poland): October 2020 
• Austrumlatvijas Tehnologiju vidusskola (Latvia): January 2021 - Gymnasium Lefkimmis (Greece): May 2021