Liceum Ogólnokształcące nr XV

A drop without plastic

Wrocław, Poland

3rd FUNDING CALL

Water is a fundamental resource, yet human activities continue to threaten its availability and quality. Recognizing the urgent need to educate younger generations about water conservation and pollution, students and teachers at High School XV in Wrocław have launched an ambitious initiative: ‘A Drop Without Plastic – Together for the Future.’ This innovative project not only fosters environmental awareness but also empowers students to take an active role in protecting freshwater ecosystems.

Objectives: Developing Responsibility and Awareness

At the heart of the project lies a commitment to cultivating responsibility for freshwater conservation. The initiative has four key objectives:

1. Enhancing students’ understanding of freshwater ecosystems and their role in sustaining life.
2. Instilling a sense of responsibility for river protection through hands-on engagement.
3. Encouraging students and their families to adopt water-saving habits.
4. Raising awareness about plastic pollution and promoting sustainable alternatives.

By addressing these objectives, the project aims to equip young people with the knowledge and motivation to safeguard their local environment for future generations.

Activities: Learning Through Action

The project engages students in diverse activities, ensuring a comprehensive and interactive approach to water literacy. These include:

• Field Research and Water Quality Monitoring: Students conduct scientific studies on the Oder, Ślęza, Widawa, Bystrzyca, and Oława rivers, analysing water quality and biodiversity at multiple points. This hands-on research familiarises them with hydrobiological methods and allows them to see firsthand how human activities impact freshwater ecosystems.
• Educational Workshops and Excursions: Visits to local institutions, such as the Odra Centre, Hydropolis, and Na Grobli Water Treatment Facility, provide students with expert knowledge on water retention, purification, and consumption patterns.
• Household Water Consumption Monitoring: Students track their water use, fostering mindfulness about conservation and encouraging sustainable habits within their families.
• Environmental Clean-Up Efforts: As part of their research, students actively participate in cleaning up the Oder River, reinforcing the connection between scientific study and civic responsibility.
• Awareness Campaigns and Competitions: The project includes knowledge and artistic competitions, as well as a large-scale educational campaign promoting tap water consumption over single-use plastic bottles. This initiative extends to the entire school and local community, amplifying its impact.
• Final Conference: To wrap up the project, students present their research findings, campaign results, and personal reflections at a concluding conference attended by local stakeholders, educators, and students from other schools.

Collaborations: Strengthening Community Engagement

Collaboration plays a crucial role in the success of this project. High School XV partners with external organisations, including Foundation FREYA, to develop and implement educational activities. Additionally, workshops and excursions involve professionals from scientific institutions and municipal agencies, providing students with expert insights into water management and conservation strategies.

Beyond school premises, the project reaches the broader community through social media, blog posts, and public events. Given the school’s diverse student body, all project materials and findings are made available in Polish, English, and Ukrainian, ensuring accessibility for all 1,400 students, including 500 Ukrainian pupils.

Outputs and Impact: A Lasting Legacy

The project generates valuable resources that will continue to benefit students and educators in the years to come. These include:

• Educational materials such as brochures, lesson plans, and videos, enable teachers to integrate water literacy topics into future lessons.
• A publicly accessible database containing data on water quality and biodiversity in Wrocław’s rivers.
• A dedicated project subpage on the school’s website and social media, providing an ongoing platform for updates and discussions.
• A final blog report, summarizing activities and research findings, serving as a reference for other schools looking to launch similar initiatives.

More than just a temporary project, ‘A Drop Without Plastic’ aims to instil long-term change. The knowledge gained will be integrated into biology and parenting classes, ensuring that future students continue to engage with water conservation topics. Additionally, by inspiring behavioural changes in students’ homes and local communities, the project’s influence extends well beyond the classroom.