The+Environmental+Group

=GFS-Umweltausschuss=


 * __Origins__**

Whilst we were in GFS we were invited to join GFS-Umweltausschuss, an extracurricular environmental protection group. We thought the group was inspirational and a great example of the value of extracurricular, mixed-age learning. The group was founded back in August 2009 by 3 students and 2 teachers. We spoke to one of the founding members, Duc Huy Nguyen, who graduated from GFS this year.

// "The reason why we - then only three pupils and two teachers - founded this group two years ago was that we found out that our school was using paper from Indonesia. It is strange: In school we are taught about the importance of protecting the rainforests, and on the other hand we use paper from Indonesia just because it is cheaper. Despite the distance of 11.000 km between Indonesia and Germany, Indonesian "rainforest-paper" is cheaper than German recyclingpaper. We learnt about the reasons for that and the consequences. We learnt that at the moment we make other people pay for our wealth, but that in the long run we ourselves will have to pay bitterly for it. 80 per cent of the primeval forests have been destroyed by now, although everyone should know that we need these 'lungs of the earth'." //

__**What do they do?**__

The group decided to focus on paper, aiming to decrease the use of imported papers whilst increasing awareness of the problem. They sourced a German company that produced recycled paper and convinced the school to switch to using this. The extra costs had to be covered by students and donations but due to the school using less paper, these costs only came to €250 and in the second year the school saved so much paper there were no extra costs! By focusing on one issue, the group can set realistic and achievable goals and they can encourage people to think beyond this single issue – to other problems in our world.

We asked Duc: What have you learned, and what skills have you developed, through being involved with the group?

//“We prepared and hold presentations in front of the younger pupils (5th to 8th grade), the teachers, the parents, representatives of the city of Diepholz, the local environmental group Agenda 21 Diepholz and several other schools in and around Diepholz. We learnt a lot by giving these speeches/presentations in front such a variety of people.//

//We also learnt a lot about organizing events and contests, e.g.// //"The Coolest Paper Box" ( http://www.quisfitcrassus.de/tab/Site/Umwelt_Papierbox.html ),// //"The Fifth-Graders'-Cup" ( http://www.gfs-diepholz.de/component/content/article/28-neuigkeiten/246-projekt-im-seminarfach-cup-der-5-klassen.html ),// //"The Oscar" for the most environmental-friendly teacher ( http://www.gfs-umweltausschuss.de/wp-content/uploads/2011_25.März_DHKreisblatt_UmweltOscar.jpg )// and //the "Workshop-Day" ( http://www.quisfitcrassus.de/tab/Site/Umwelt_WorkshopTag_files/Collage.jpg ).//

//We learnt about the importance of PR and the difficulties of being continually present in the minds of people and of motivating others over a longer period of time. We learnt that this takes a lot of patience and stamina.// //Concerning the work within our group we learnt how important communication and reliability are. It was also very interesting to have older and younger pupils working together.// //I myself improved my computer skills in graphics and design very much by designing posters, buttons, our logo or our card.”//

Advertisement of Workshop Day by Duc


 * __Benefits for the students__**

We think that extracurricular groups such as this one can add great value to education. As well as positive outcomes and increasing knowledge and awareness of real life issues, a whole range of skills can be developed, as you can see from the answer above. Learning done in this way compliments traditional class work. We asked Duc: how do you think being in an extracurricular group complements your school education?

//“////Working in this group is very different from working in class. It is not a teacher who directs the course or a curriculum, but the main impulses come from the pupils. Therefore, the responsibility for each member of our group is much bigger and so are the possibilities and the willingness to bring in your own ideas. “//

Another interesting aspect of this group is that members are students of all ages: “//It was also very interesting to have older and younger pupils working together.”// This has a practical basis:

//“The most difficult thing is to cope with the continuous flux in participants. Each year the older pupils finish school and leave. Younger pupils have to take over to guarantee continuity. Since the start we have been trying to cover all grades so that the work can be continued ... an aspect of sustainability in our group, so to say. We want the younger pupils to take over, bring in their own ideas and their fresh energy. “//

As is often the case in trying to raise awareness of global issues and promote positive change, not everyone wants to hear the harsh realities of life. "//The vast majority of people still has to be convinced that the protection of the environment is necessary for each of us."// The group will need to continue their good work or else progress will stall.




 * __Challenges__**

Schools should place importance on this kind of learning, perhaps dedicating time to project and programme work. The Environmental group, as an example, struggle to get everyone together. GFS do not have a long lunch-break, although this is something that is set to be changed. At the moment the core team meets once a week, but only during a 15-minutes-break between lessons. They use e-mails, their homepage ( www.gfs-umwelttiger.de ) and facebook to communicate. However, they are given a lot of help and support from different sides, including the school, press and city of Diepholz.

__**Future Developments**__ The group want to expand their little shop which sells recycled paper products - they would like to be open every weekday as opposed to twice a week and move into other products such as T-shirts. [|http://www.gfs-umweltausschuss.de/wp-content/uploads/Papier-Rolli.jpg] They have also considered looking into plastic and plastic waste as a second major theme. However, Duc summarises: "//The most important thing is to stay active and to remind people of environmental issues. We would like people to think that it is cool to be interested in environmental issues.//"

Finally, we asked Duc: What has been the main highlight for you?

//"One of the highlights definitely was a presentation at the first Diepholz Business Breakfast in November 2010, where we had been invited to be the only speakers next to the former Secretary of Economy in Lower Saxony and now President of the German Commission of UNESCO. It was quite something to talk in front of 100 "VIPs" ( http://www.gfs-umweltausschuss.de/wp-content/uploads/13_BusiFrueh1.pdf ).//

//Another highlight was in January when our group was invited into the city hall where we received a special price from the mayor of Diepholz for our work.// //There are many other highlights, e.g. each time when children tell me that the protection of the environment is cool and that they want to do something to help. I am also very satisfied when I look back on the past two years: We made a lot of people and institutions use recycling paper and become aware that paper is something valuable and not just there to waste.//

//One of the highlights definitely is that the group now consists of c. 50 people who are willing to put work, time and energy into the project and who know that the protection of the environment does not start in the rainforest, but here and now, with each of us."//




 * Many thanks to** GFS-Umweltausschuss, with particular mention to Maria Schmutte and Duc for answering our questions so thoughtfully and thoroughly!

Go Back