OOU Zhivko Brajkovski

AquaArt: Transforming Green Oases into Blue Schools for a Pink Future

Skopje, North Macedonia

2nd FUNDING CALL

The “AquaArt: Transforming Green Oases into Blue Schools for a Pink Future” project, also known as AquaRising, involves about 100 students in activities focused on water conservation, waste reduction, and environmental stewardship. The project aligns with key environmental goals such as eliminating single-use plastics, providing open access to water quality data, and supporting the health of European rivers.

Objectives:

1. Understand the importance of water resources for the environment, community, and biodiversity.
2. Raise awareness of the preservation and protection of water ecosystems.
3. Promote sustainable practices through hands-on learning and community engagement.

Activities:

Initial Planning Phase (Sep – Oct 2024):

• Gather team, set objectives, plan activities, and establish partnerships.
• Involved: Project coordinators, teachers, school administration, interested students.

Educational Workshops and Preparatory Activities (Nov 2024 – Jan 2025):

• Conduct workshops on water conservation, biodiversity, and waste management.
• Organize field trips to assess the Serava River and Aqueduct.
• Engage students in preparing for the construction of a real aquarium and green wall.

Construction and Implementation Phase (Feb – Apr 2025):

• Build the real aquarium and green wall.
• Clean the coast of the Serava River and Aqueduct, removing plastic and other waste.
• Collect materials for TrashArt creations.
• Involved: Students, teachers, volunteers, professionals.

TrashArt Exhibition Preparation and Community Engagement (May – Jun 2025):

• Guide students in creating art from recycled materials.
• Promote the TrashArt exhibition through posters, social media, and word of mouth.
• Invite community members, stakeholders, and local media to attend the exhibition.
• Involved: Students, teachers, community members, stakeholders.

Evaluation and Reflection (June 2025):

• Evaluate outcomes, gather feedback, reflect on experiences, and plan future initiatives.
• Involved: Project coordinators, teachers, students, and stakeholders.

Outputs:

• Digital booklet on Farka Lake flora and fauna.
• Artworks for the TrashArt exhibition.
• Lesson plans on water preservation and biodiversity.
• Aquarium and green wall installations.
• Educational resources in Macedonian, Albanian, and English.

Innovative Features:

• Installation of eco-friendly trash bins along Serava riverbanks with bilingual eco-messages.
• TrashArt exhibition showcasing student artwork from recycled materials.
• Hands-on learning experiences with real aquarium and green wall construction.
• Community engagement through clean-up events and educational campaigns.

Community Engagement:

• Public exhibitions of TrashArt.
• Collaboration with local environmental organizations.
• Social media promotion.
• Local media coverage.

The innovative aspects of AquaRising include the installation of eco-friendly trash bins with bilingual eco-messages, a TrashArt exhibition showcasing student artwork from recycled materials, and hands-on learning experiences with real aquarium and green wall construction. These activities promote environmental awareness and community engagement.

By integrating AquaRising into the school curriculum, students engage in science classes focused on water quality, biology studies on biodiversity, technology lessons on data collection tools, social studies on water resource management, and art projects inspired by water conservation. This comprehensive approach fosters environmental responsibility, creativity, and collaboration, contributing to a sustainable future.