Our Green Cool School – Friedrich-Wilhelm Gymnasium
Project days on sustainable school grounds of the future with pergola construction at Friedrich-Wilhelm Gymnasium in Cologne in cooperation with the University of Cologne.
As part of the school project days entitled “The sustainable school grounds”, pupils at Friedrich-Wilhelm Gymnasium (FWG) worked together with teacher training students from the University of Cologne to rethink their school grounds – in an interdisciplinary, realistic manner and clearly based on ESD principles. The project days and learning content were developed, planned and implemented by the Institute for Biology Didactics at the University of Cologne.
Starting with the question of how our school can become more climate-resilient, the pupils first explored the effect of plants: the aim is to show pupils the effects of climate change on urban areas and their inhabitants, as well as to convey the positive effects and thus the potential of urban greenery using the example of façade greening as a climate change adaptation measure. The focus was on experiments in which the pupils themselves investigated the properties of plants using sensors: effects relating to CO2 , temperature, shading, transpiration and evaporative cooling. As a result, the pupils discussed the potential of urban greenery to reduce urban heat stress.
In the subsequent transfer phase, the pupils mapped the current state of the school grounds and determined the potential risk of heavy rainfall, the degree of sealing and potential areas for greening and biodiversity. In a subsequent expert role-play, the pupils learned about planning regulations, landscape architectural design elements and the needs and requirements of different user groups, and consolidated their findings in a vivid model of their “green, cool school of the future”. The project days made self-efficacy tangible, promoted participation and provided practical insights into STEM professions, from research to greening and construction planning.
From model to plan to practice: a pergola as a green classroom!
Following the project days, pupils voluntarily worked with teachers and partners to implement a planning idea: the construction of a shaded pergola as a green classroom. Measuring, sawing, drilling, screwing – step by step, a robust, inviting learning space was created that provides cooling shade, brings more greenery to the schoolyard and promotes biodiversity. Outdoor lessons are now possible, breaks are more pleasant and the microclimate is noticeably better. A film team from made up of students documented the process with interviews, construction phases and impressions from the team: watch the video below!