WORK PACKAGE NO. 2 – CREATING #EMME CURRICULUM
OVERVIEW & TIMELINE
Activity 1 – Partnership Meeting
April 9–11, 2024 | Liceul Teoretic “Avram Iancu”, Brad
Our first physical partnership meeting brought all EMME partners together in the heart of Transylvania for a moment of planning, sharing, and co-creating.
The meeting was hosted by the project coordinator, Liceul Teoretic „Avram Iancu” Brad, and focused on setting the foundation for Work Package 2 – Creating the #EMME Curriculum.
Objectives of the Meeting
- Establish a common understanding of the WP2 goals, structure, and deliverables
- Distribute partner responsibilities and agree on timelines
- Align pedagogical approaches, methodology, and digital integration
- Strengthen partnership trust and collaborative dynamics
Agenda Highlights
Day 1: Opening & Overview
- Welcome session and school tour with student ambassadors
- Workshop: WP2 objectives, activities, and timeline
- Cultural visits: Gold Museum and Ethnography Museum in Brad
Day 2: Curriculum in Focus
- Welcome session and school tour with student ambassadors
- Workshop: WP2 objectives, activities, and timeline
- Cultural visits: Gold Museum and Ethnography Museum in Brad
Day 3: Finalising Vision
- Welcome session and school tour with student ambassadors
- Workshop: WP2 objectives, activities, and timeline
- Cultural visits: Gold Museum and Ethnography Museum in Brad
Participants
The meeting brought together 2 representatives from:
Romania
Liceul Teoretic „Avram Iancu” Brad & Dinosaur Geopark Țara Hațegului – Universitatea din București
Portugal
Escola Secundária Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade & Geoparque Açores – Geoaçores
Slovakia
ZŠ Hutnícka, Spišská Nová Ves
Croatia
Osnovna škola Pantovčak, Zagreb
KEY OUTCOMES
Final agreement on the 5 curriculum units:
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- Geology & Paleontology
- Ecology & Biodiversity
- Environmental Stewardship
- Local History & Culture
- Mapping & Spatial Skills
Decision: each partner school will propose activities adapted to their educational level
Geoparks will lead the final development of the curriculum with expert support
Curriculum launch planned for summer 2024
Photo Gallery
Activity 2 – EMME Curriculum – Memory of the Earth
The heart of the EMME project lies in the creation of a transdisciplinary curriculum designed to help students explore the geological, environmental, and cultural memory of the Earth in a hands-on and meaningful way.
Developed collaboratively by all partner schools and Geoparks, the curriculum promotes experiential learning, active citizenship, and environmental responsibility, aligned with the values of the Erasmus+ programme and the UNESCO Global Geoparks’ vision.
Curriculum Goals
- Reconnect students with nature and geological heritage
- Promote sustainability and environmental awareness
- Foster critical thinking and scientific inquiry
- Integrate cultural identity and local memory into the learning process
- Encourage the use of digital tools and field-based learning
Curriculum Structure
The curriculum is built around five thematic learning units, each with clearly defined competencies, learning outcomes, and proposed activities adaptable to different age groups:
1. Geology and Paleontology
Understanding Earth’s history, plate tectonics, fossils, and the formation of landscapes.
2. Ecology and Biodiversity
Exploring ecosystems, native species, and human impact on the environment.
3. Environmental Stewardship
Engaging in climate action, conservation, and sustainable living practices.
4. Local History and Culture
Investigating cultural heritage, oral history, traditions, and the human-nature relationship.
5. Mapping and Spatial Skills
Using maps, GPS, and spatial data to understand landscapes, geology, and change over time.
Who Is It For?
- Students aged 10–16 (adaptable to primary, lower, and upper secondary education)
- Teachers from STEM, humanities, geography, and environmental studies
- Schools looking to integrate sustainability and local heritage into their curriculum
Methodology
- Interdisciplinary, project-based, and learner-centred
- Combines classroom learning, outdoor exploration, and digital tools
- Encourages collaboration between schools, communities, and Geoparks
- Promotes inclusive and accessible education
Activity 3 – Staff Training in Portugal
Our first physical partnership meeting brought all EMME partners together in the heart of Transylvania for a moment of planning, sharing, and co-creating.
The meeting was hosted by the project coordinator, Liceul Teoretic „Avram Iancu” Brad, and focused on setting the foundation for Work Package 2 – Creating the #EMME Curriculum.
Objectives of the Meeting
- Establish a common understanding of the WP2 goals, structure, and deliverables
- Distribute partner responsibilities and agree on timelines
- Align pedagogical approaches, methodology, and digital integration
- Strengthen partnership trust and collaborative dynamics
June 22–28, 2024 | Escola Secundária Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade, Azores
Hosted on the beautiful island of Terceira, in Angra do Heroísmo, the first #EMME staff training brought together educators from all partner countries to deepen their understanding of the EMME curriculum and how to apply it using local geological, ecological, and cultural resources.
Organized by Escola Secundária Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade in collaboration with GeoAçores – Azores UNESCO Global Geopark, the training supported WP2 – Creating the #EMME Curriculum through workshops, field visits, and interdisciplinary learning.
Objectives of the Training
- Strengthen participants’ understanding of the EMME curriculum and its classroom applications
- Enhance knowledge of geoscience and local heritage in the Azores
- Explore digital and pedagogical tools for curriculum implementation
- Develop inclusive, hands-on, and place-based learning approaches
- Foster cross-cultural and international teacher collaboration
Training Highlights
Day 1
Curriculum & Local Context
Urban Geo Route exploring the geology of Angra do Heroísmo
Presentation of the curriculum’s goals and content
Visits to Quinta do Martelo, Angra Museum, and City Hall
Expert-led sessions from the Azores UNESCO Global Geopark
Geological and geographical features of the Azores
Overview of educational resources developed by the Geopark
Day 2
Geoscience Fundamentals
Day 3
Pedagogy & Digital Integration
Project meeting and discussion of curriculum rollout
Workshops on children’s guides and student engagement strategies
Interactive presentations by students using EMME learning materials
Geosites tour: Monte Brasil, Algar do Carvão, Furnas do Enxofre, Serra do Cume
Lunch at a traditional restaurant and storytelling discussions
Highlight: how to embed local narratives into teaching practices
Day 4
Fieldwork & Cultural Immersion
Day 5
Evaluation & Feedback
- Structured feedback using digital forms
- Reflection on the effectiveness and impact of the training
- Planning next steps and adapting curriculum based on insights
Participants
3 teachers and coordinators from all six partner institutions took part in the training, including:
Romania
Liceul Teoretic „Avram Iancu” Brad & Dinosaur Geopark Țara Hațegului – Universitatea din București
Portugal
Escola Secundária Jerónimo Emiliano de Andrade & Geoparque Açores – Geoaçores
Slovakia
ZŠ Hutnícka, Spišská Nová Ves
Croatia
Osnovna škola Pantovčak, Zagreb
Outcomes
Improved curriculum content with locally adaptable learning activities
Shared teaching strategies and co-developed classroom resources
Increased confidence in using Geopark resources and digital tools
Stronger intercultural collaboration among educators
Photo Gallery
Activity 4 – International Online Conference
October 18, 2024 | Zoom Platform
Organized by: Liceul Teoretic „Avram Iancu” Brad
Held as part of the ErasmusDays 2024 events
As the final activity of Work Package 2, Liceul Teoretic „Avram Iancu” Brad organized a national online conference dedicated to the official launch of the EMME Curriculum. The event was held on October 18, 2024, via Zoom, and brought together teachers, students, curriculum developers, environmental educators, and Geopark experts — all united by a shared commitment to sustainability and educational innovation.
This digital gathering was part of the ErasmusDays 2024, celebrating the impact of Erasmus+ projects across Europe.
Objectives of the Conference
- Officially present the #EMME Curriculum – Memory of the Earth
- Engage educators and curriculum developers in discussions on environmental and geoscience integration
- Showcase contributions from partner schools and UNESCO Global Geoparks
- Promote further testing and adaptation of the curriculum in schools
- Celebrate collaborative success within the Erasmus+ programme
Programme Highlights
- Opening remarks from the Romanian coordinating team
- Presentations from partner schools involved in shaping the curriculum
- Project overview and milestones achieved
- Insight session from UNESCO Geoparks on the educational use of natural heritage
- Interactive Kahoot game on geoscience and sustainability
- Evaluation and Q&A session
- Certificates of participation offered to attendees
Participants
- The online format enabled wide participation, including:
- Teachers and students from across Romania, Portugal, Croatia, Slovakia
- Representatives from the project’s partner institutions
- Experts from Țara Hațegului and Azores Geoparks
- Education professionals interested in integrating sustainability and place-based learning into their curricula
Key Outcomes
- Successful public launch of the EMME Curriculum
- Strengthened national visibility for the project and its results
- Positive feedback from teachers and students on the curriculum’s potential
- Increased interest in using the EMME materials as part of environmental education
- Recognition of the event as an official ErasmusDays 2024 contribution
