Project activities
| List of Milestones | Relates to activity | Milestone implementation started/completed (following the signature of the Project Contract) |
||
| Started | Completed | Duration (months) | ||
| Preparation for building Climatic Garden | Activity1 | within 3 months | within 6 months | 3 |
| Building Climatic Garden | Activity1 | within 3 months | within 6 months | 3 |
| Preparation for building composters | Activity1 | within 1 months | within 3 months | 2 |
| Building Composters | Activity1 | within 1 months | within 3 months | 2 |
| Adjusting curriculum | Activity2 | within 1 months | within 3 months | 2 |
| Preparation of promotional material and its distribution | Activity6 | within 3 months | within 6 months | 3 |
| Creating subweb page | Activity6 | within 1 months | within 18 months | 17 |
| Preparation and orgaisation of Opening Conference | Activity5 | within 3 months | within 6 months | 3 |
| Production of educational materials | Activity3 | within 3 months | within 18 months | 15 |
| Informational events in nursery, elementary and secondary schools | Activity6 | within 3 months | within 12 months | 9 |
| Workshops in Centre of Free Time, at our school | Activity6 | within 3 months | within 12 months | 9 |
| Writing reports and making photo documantation | Activity3 | within 1 months | within 12 months | 11 |
| Welcoming public and other schools and from our town to educate in Climatic Garden | Activity4 | within 3 months | within 18 months | 15 |
| Taking care of Climatic Garden | Activity5 | within 3 months | within 18 months | 15 |
| Teaching in Climatic Garden | Activity4 | within 3 months | within 18 months | 15 |
| Using products from raised beds and waste reducing | Activity7 | within 3 months | within 6 months | 3 |
| Updating subweb page (edu. materials, videos, reports) | Activity6 | within 1 months | within 18 months | 17 |
| Preparation and organisation of Closing conference | Activity6 | within 12 months | within 18 months | 6 |
| Welcoming our bilateral partner and its students in Climatic Garden, exchanging experiences, materials | Activity8 | within 6 months | within 18 months | 12 |
Activity 5 – Preparation and orgaisation of Opening Conference
Opening Conference to the Project Climatic Garden supported from Norway Grants
The project Climatic Garden supported from Norway grants, that The Secondary school of Buisness and Services has recently acquired has been officially opened.
It happened on 12th of May 2021, when the opening conference took place at The Secondary school of Buisness and Services during forenoon hours. At the conference participated 17 invited guests: the Head of Departement of Education of Banská Bystrica region Ing Miroslav Martiš, the representatives of the partners- Primary School of P.Dobšinský- headmaster Ing. Erika Demková and the Center of Leisure Time RELAX- deputy headmaster PaedDr. Dana Spišáková. We could welcome at the conference also the representatives of Elementary and Secondary schools in Rimavská Sobota.
After longer time of online conferences, the guests could be present at the conference under keeping all restrictions connected to the pandemic situation. So on 12th of May 2021 at The Secondary school of Trade and Services in Street Športová 1 in Rimavská Sobota the project Climatic Garden oriented in increasing awarness of climate changes within the educational process (ACC03P12) has officially started. It is implemented within the programm „Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation“ ( SK- Climate) and it is supported from Norway Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 and The Slovak State Budget.
The aim of the Opening Conference was to provide information about the project, its goals, expected results and outputs.
The conference was opened by the headmaster PaedDr. Jaroslav Bagačka. He welcomed all the guests and expressed thanks to all participants of the project.
After the speech of the headmaster Ing. Veronika Rízová from The Centre of Nature Protection- Protected Area Cerová Vrchovina ( Cerová Uplands) presented from the view of a specialist the matter of climate changes and possibilities of their mitigation. She mentioned the importance of the project and its implementation.
The project manager Ing. Monika Brezovická informed about the project, its partners, steps, milestones and activities, which are made to increase the awarness of climate change adaptation.
The discussion and a small refreshment prepared for the guests followed and at the end of conference. All the guests went to see the place of the future Climatic garden. The atmosphere of the whole confernce was very pleasant and the guest left full of enriching inspirations.
Norway+Grants Climatic Garden ACC03P12
Activity 5
Within activity no. 5 Publicity an article about the Climate Garden from Norwegian grants was published in a regional periodic, where we informed the public about the project as well as about the upcoming opening conference. You can read this article in 8th issue of regional newspaper Gemerské zvesti on the page 5 on this link Gemerské zvesti (rimavskasobota.sk)
Activity 6
On 27-th of May 2021 we had presentation about the project Climatic Garden on Business Academy in Rimavská Sobota. The students of second grade were listening carefully and were intersted in the information what will be implemented within this project. In cooperation with Ing. Ingrid Raiszová the ecology teacher we prepared and planned educational activities for students oriented in adaptation and mitigation of climate change.
Activity 8
On June 1st 2021, as part of the development of bilateral cooperation with a foreign partner, we had an online meeting Climatic Garden – Climate Garden with pupils from the Norwegian school Radøy ungdomsskule, Alver kommune, Norway led by teacher Arve Skjellanger. At the beginning of the meeting, our Norwegian partner presented his town and school.
He pointed out what Norway is doing to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The student from Norwegian school explained the construction of a hydroponic tower, constructed by themselves and they planted lettuce and herbs in it, and observed the growth rate of these plants in this tower and compared it with the classic planting in the soil. This student took care of such a tower and watched it at home.
Later, our student Kristína Balážová introduced our school to the students of the Norwegian school, followed by a presentation of a walk to the City Garden on the occasion of Biodiversity Day, which was presented by students I. H Nikol Jóžová and Tomáš Darnady. The students talked about how they observed the different species of birds with the employees from the Cerová vrchovina Protected Landscape Area. Mgr. Anna Pintová told the pupils of the Norwegian partner about the activities of the extracurricular course 
Mitigation and adaptation to climate change in practice. Finally, the project manager provided students with information about the Climate Garden project. The online meeting was accompanied by a very pleasant atmosphere, pupils of I.K class also took part. They learned valuable information about climate change issues and had the opportunity to get in touch with pupils from Norway.
Activity 8 Consolidating bilateral partnership with Donor project partner school Radøy ungdomsskule, Alver kommune
On 12th August 2022, we were pleased to welcome a representative of a Norwegian partner from the Norwegian school Radøy ungdomsskule, Alver kommune, Norway Arve Skjellanger in the Climatic Garden in our school yard.
We observed the hard measures that were built to mitigate and adapt to climate change, and the weather was good so we discussed and exchanged our experiences in the outdoor classroom.
Arve suggested new experiments that we could carry out with the students and explained us how we could locate and build the rainwater retention containers, or how to take temperature measurements on different surfaces at different times of the year.
We also talked about what is on the plan this school year and that we are looking forward to continue with the students in workshops aimed at observing the composition of the water from the pond as well as observing the impact of drought on individual plant species. We will share the results of these workshops together online.
We also discussed the findings that Arve and his students described after coming from an excursion in Mostad. Last but not least, we also talked about other experiments in cultivation in hydroponic towers that await Norwegian students this school year. Arve also showed us how he works with his students with power solar panels, exploring their way of working and possibilities of use.
Arve was also interested in other related activities such as the exchange of educational materials and information activities, which we have already started and are going to be implemented. We are pleased to note the increased interest in information activities in the Climatic Garden as well as in the workshops that we will continue to implement.
Although activity 8 Consolidating the bilateral partnership with the donor partner of the project at the beginning of the project implementation seemed difficult to implement in a personal form due to the pandemic, we conducted the meetings only online, so we are glad, that we could manage to meet Arve in person. Maybe next time with a group of students from a Norwegian school.
We were so happy to fulfill Milestone 19 Welcoming our bilateral partner and his students to the Climate Garden, exchanging experiences, materials in the form of this very pleasant personal meeting. We look forward to further cooperation.
Educative material – Biodiverzity day
Activity 1 – preparation of the construction of the Climatic Garden
The first outdoor work on the preparation of the construction of the Climatic Garden has started
30.6.2021 – the day when the ceremonial speeches and balancing of the school year sounds from each class and school, we celebrated with the students of the construction study programmes by working.
As part of the first milestone of the project – Preparation of the construction of the Climatic Garden, which we could not implement due to quarantine of our students in May, we put theories to work with the students. We explained to the students what will be part of the Climatic Garden and started the first preparatory excavation work. Students of the construction study programme led by Mgr. Viktor Chlpoš and Ing. Monika Brezovická participated in the realization of this milestone.
The students helped a lot, the best job was done by Stanislav Bolf and Slavomír Gembický from class II.C, to whom thanks belong, and they are already looking forward to experience learning outdoors – in the Climatic Garden. Students promissed to lend a helping hand again in the next stages of outdoor work if necessary. We are all looking forward to the further successful implementation of the Climate Garden project.
Promotional activities – Information event of the SK-Climate Programme
The Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, as the Administrator of the „Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation (SK-Climate)“ programme, organized an information event of the Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Programme (SK-Climate), which took place online via MSTeams on December 8, 2021.
The aim of the event was not only to introduce the SK-Climate Program, but also to present selected implemented projects. The event was intended primarily for entities involved in the preparation and implementation of the SK-Climate Programme, including institutions of Donor Programme Partners, which are the Norwegian Directorate of Water Resources and Energy, the Norwegian Environment Agency and the Directorate for Civil Protection and Emergency Planning and the beneficiaries.
A lot of interesting information in the field of climate change mitigation and adaptation was presented at the event by experts. The event was opened by Denis Knotka, Director of the Control Department for Technical Assistance Projects and Transnational Cooperation Programmes. Michal Kiča, State Secretary of the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic and Ambassador of the Kingdom of Norway in Bratislava, H.E. Terje Theodor Nervik, wished success in the implementation of the individual projects.
Aspects of bilateral cooperation in the SK-Climate Programme were presented by Bjørn Aulie, Programme Manager, representative of Donor Program Partners, from the Norwegian Directorate of Water Resources and Energy. The topic of EEA and Norway Grants in Slovakia was discussed by Boris Striženec from the Ministry of Investments, Regional Development and Informatization of the Slovak Republic.
Mitigation and adaptation to climate change in Slovakia within the National Action Plan for the implementation of the Strategy of Adaptation of the Slovak Republic to Climate Change in the field of adaptation in urban areas was presented by Jozef Škultéty from the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic. The role of local government in climate change mitigation was described by Milan Zvara from the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic. After the discussion, the theoretical framework of the SK-Climate programme was summarized by Denis Knotka from the Ministry of Environment of the Slovak Republic, then we devoted ourselves to the presentation of implemented projects from practice, the progress in the implementation of projects was summarized by selected cities and schools:
- MITADAPT: Low-carbon climate-resilient Bratislava-Karlova Ves – adaptation and mitigation measures (City district Bratislava-Karlova Ves, Martina Maderová, project coordinator)
- The city of Košice responds to climate change – together we will achieve more (ClimaUrbanKošice)
- Snina – a city ready for climate change
- We think and teach ecologically (United School Detva)
- Climatic garden (Secondary Vocational School of Trade and Services Rimavská Sobota)
- We want to grow healthy (United Boarding School Považská Bystrica)
- Let’s give future generations a chance for a new life (Secondary vocational school Tisovec)
Our bilateral partner from Norway Arve Skjellanger from Radøy ungdomsskule, Alver kommune, Norway, explained in an engaging way what is constantly improving in this area in Norway and how it leads his pupils to have a positive attitude towards the topic. He also mentioned the importance of mutual cooperation. You can see these presentations here.
Information events in the Climatic Garden
In the month of June 2022, information events for pupils from primary schools and students from secondary schools in Rimavská Sobota took place in the Secondary Vocational School of Trade and Services in the Climatic Garden. During Biology and Natural science lessons, pupils of the Evangelical Primary School of Zlatica Oravcova and Primary School of Pavol Dobšinský came to the Climatic Garden. Pupils of the 5th, 6th and 8th grades came from the Evangelical Primary School of Zlatica Oravcová, accompanied by teacher Dedinský. Pupils of two classes came from Dobšinský Primary School accompanied by the headmistress Erika Demková. We were also visited by pupils of 4th grade with teacher Keľová.
Information events were held in a pleasant atmosphere and lively discussion. Ms Brezovická, project manager, first informed the groups about the creation and financing of the project from the Norwegian Financial Mechanism, its objectives, milestones and activities.
Our lecturer Ms Pintová spoke to the groups and explained them everything about composting, the ecosystem of the pond with its flora and fauna, the importance of planting ground covering plants and planting plants in raised beds. The pupils tasted the edible flower Capuchin Greater, strawberries or peas and aslo smelled Mint, Lemon balm and Motherwort in the herb garden.
The interest of the pupils was also aroused by the insect house and meditation garden, where we sat in the shade under a massive willow tree and talked about the ecological and aesthetic benefits of the climatic garden and ways of mitigating and adapting to climate change.
The pupils showed a keen interest, asked questions about many things, and in some cases had a really excellent knowledge of nature. We believe that they left enriched by an experiential and non-traditional Biology lesson experience.
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Further implementation of activity 1: Milestones 2 Building the Climatic Garden and milestone 3 Preparation for the construction of composters was carried out by DRYADA garden, s.r.o., as the contractor of the construction „Construction of a climatic garden at the Secondary Vocational School of Trade and Services of RS“ in Rimavská Sobota, the implementation began on 16th December 2021. First of all, it was necessary to delineate and prepare space for the future meditation and herb garden.
Then an educational pavement was implemented, the base of which is made of geotextile, on which gravel was layered and subsequently strengthened. The top layer of the pavement is made of aggregate mud 0/4 and supplemented with andesite stepping stone. Solid burnt brick was used to build the edging of the sidewalk. A relaxation garden was also built. The underlying layer is again made up of geotextile, on which gravel was layered and subsequently this gravel bed was strengthened.
The top layer is sprinkled with wooden chips and bordered by wooden logs. Solid burnt brick was again used for the rim. At the same time, the area next to the composting site was made. Geotextile was laid on the prepared area, on which stones was layered and strengthened. The top layer is also sprinkled with wooden chips. In addition, an excavation for the pond was made. Further work continued in the second stage from 14th February 2022.
The second phase of the Climatic Garden construction took place from 7th March 2022 to 20th April 2022. This was with a slight delay from the planned date for the continuation of work due to bad weather. In the second phase, the subsoil of the pond and the planting of aquatic plants in it were implemented, as well as the technology that helps the circulation of water in the pond and water filtration, as well as the necessary electrical installation. In addition to the circulation pump, an irrigation pump was also installed, which pumps water from the pond coming from rainwater from the roof into self-irrigation. The self-irrigation system also includes an automatic irrigation device and a precipitation sensor, which regulate self-irrigation according to current weather and needs.
As part of this phase, composters and raised garden beds were also installed. Part of the Climatic Garden is also a seating under a tree, which serves as an outdoor classroom. In the area of the Climatic Garden, the contractor planted Prunus surrulata – Sakura trees of various types of ground covering perennials in flower beds and bushes. At the same time, an herb garden was also created.
The contractor of the works also involved the students in the planting, so already within the construction of the Climatic Garden, the educational process took place from its beginning, during the first preparatory work to planting. Subsequently, the barefoot path was completed and the final landscaping and sowing of grass took place.
So, on 20th April 2022, the space was ready for the arrival of the first students to the Climatic Garden, who, under the guidance of their teachers, began to be educated here. Students were engaged in planting and landscaping, and also maintaining it. The students also participated in the completion of some components of the Climatic Garden, such as the barefoot path and the insect house, where they could apply creativity and prepare new dwellings for insects.
After the completion of the Construction of the Climatic Garden, an ecopedagogical area Climatic Garden was created, which includes:
- raised self-watering beds,
- herb garden,
- insect house,
- meditation garden,
- barefoot path
- composters,
- and a rain pond.
These serve to educate pupils not only of our school, but also of primary and secondary schools in the surrounding area about climate change mitigation and adaptation. In addition to the educational function, they also perform an ecological and, last but not least, aesthetic function.
Activity 2 – Adjusting curricula
Teaching the subject Sustainable Life in Practice (SLP)
The subject of SLP is taught at the school in the first grades of study and vocational fields. This school year, we have changed the thematic educational plan of the subject for the needs of the Climatic Garden project, which is ongoing at our school. These are mainly topics related to the practical implementation of the project (waste management, importance of the rain pond, etc.) and its focus on climate change mitigation in practice (importance of water in nature, wetland ecosystems, fight against drought, recycling and upcycling, etc.)
Last school year, we also took part in outdoor activities, a biodiversity day and an excursion focused on the wetland ecosystem.
Worksheets are prepared for this subject, which provide information on the given issue, as well as problem-oriented tasks, practical tasks and tasks aimed at stimulating discussion and forming one’s own opinion and attitude.
The current pandemic situation, which has caused a longer distance form of teaching and frequent quarantines of classes and teachers, significantly narrows the possibilities of teaching, especially practical activities. Worksheets are provided in the edupage environment and tasks are mainly solved in distance teaching form.
Students are enriched with information, but have less possibilities of experiential form of learning and interaction with classmates, especially during discussion tasks.
We believe that the future will bring us an improvement in the situation and in the spring and early summer period cooperation with the Cerová Vrchovina Protected Landscape Area, the centre of state nature protection, and practical activities related to the construction of the Climatic Garden will start again.
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Activity 3 – Creating educational materials
Educational materials for extended teaching of the subject SLP – Sustainable Life in Practice and the school club „Mitigating the effects of climate change in practice ZeDeKa“:
Since the beginning of the project, 15 worksheets + Biodiversity worksheet and presentations of Biodiversity Day, Wetlands and Climatic Garden were created by a teacher at the school of the project beneficiary by Mgr. Anna Pintová, who teaches the school subject Sustainable Life in Practice and leads the ZeDeKa club – Climate Change Mitigation in Practice.
From the organization of Partner 2 Primary School of Pavol Dobšinský in Rimavská Sobota, teacher Mgr. Vojtech Novodomský worked on the creation of educational materials, and created very interesting educational presentations on the topics Importance of ground covering plants and Water retention measures and worksheets for them.
All materials are published online and are available to teachers, pupils and students, as well as the general public, who are interested in this field and would like to gain new knowledge and information about climate change mitigation and adaptation. They can come and see the hard measures in practice and learn how they can contribute themselves to mitigation and adaptation of climate changes.
Activity 4 – Use of teaching materials in the Climatic Garden
As part of this activity, we are implementing the milestone Taking care of the Climatic Garden, in which students are involved under the guidance of teachers. We implement it continuously in the school subject Sustainable life in practice, in Biology and Microbiology classes and in other classes. Students love to take care of the Climatic Garden.
They acquire skills and experience in the field of growing useful plants, caring for the herb garden, practical skills of composting or pond care (filtration cleaning, removal of excess cladofora algae). THP school staff are also involved in the care of the Climatic Garden.
The students, led by teacher Pintova, cultivated pond water during Microbiology classes. They cultivated the common microflora of stagnant waters. They also observed diatoms under a microscope.
Milestone Teaching in the Climatic Garden is carried out continuously in various lessons with students of our school and other schools. This teaching is attractive for students, they feel a connection with nature, observe the change in temperature in different parts of the Climatic Garden. They realize that through their own efforts they can contribute to adapting to climate change and mitigating the impacts of climate change through implemented hard measures.
In the Climatic Garden, the first flowers bloomed at the beginning of spring 2022, which made us very happy, gradually different types of ground covering plants grow, students sowed various types of useful plants in elevated garden beds, such as onions, garlic, carrots, parsley, New Zealand spinach, lettuce, zucchini, cucumbers, zucchini, which are grown for flowers that can be fried, tomatoes, peppers, strawberries, or various types of edible flowers to decorate food and drinks.
There were also sponsors who donated fish and frogs to the pond, as well as geranium. Biodiversity in the animal kingdom has been enriched by various insects that are tied to the aquatic ecosystem of the pond: water meters, skaters, divers, dragonflies, awls and others. In the insect house they find shelter various types of beetles: torrents, ladybirds, wild bees, bumblebees, or wasps, which also attract the surrounding flowering plants.
Students with teacher Ms Pintova made plant markings so that they could remember their names faster. They created an illustrative map of the Climatic Garden and information panels on the water cycle in nature, biodiversity, composting, the importance of soil covering plants and the barefoot path.
Activity 7 – Reducing waste by using composters
We started with Activity 7 after completing the composters within activity 1 Building the Climatic garden, we compost biological material suitable for composting from the Climatic Garden produced by maintenance, school subject TPP (Food preparation technology) and the school cafeteria. This activity is related to milestones 14 Taking care of the Climatic Garden, 16 Using products from raised flower beds and reducing waste.
During the lessons and the school club, students learned how composting works and what belongs to the composters and what does not belong there and so they learned to compost, we believe that it will inspire them to continue to do so at home, as our town has already created conditions for the collection of compostable waste. We are pleased that students have understood this new way of managing bio-waste and it can become a normal part of their lives.
This activity also includes Using products from raised flower beds. Students in the subjects of Sustainable life in practice as well as other lessons are very happy to help with planting ground covering plants and useful plants. Fruits, vegetables and flowers are used in Food preparation technology lessons. We use herbs and edible flowers also in the school bar to decorate mixed drinks.
Vegetables are also part of small snacks, which are prepared in the school cafeteria. We all realize and appreciate the added value of organic raw products, which are always freshly harvested. We can also say that with a good feeling of our own involvement in growing fruits and vegetables in the Climatic Garden, such products taste even better. Our big thanks to the donors of the project, we are glad that we can be part of such a pleasant and inspiring experience.