Practices

Thematic Field: Maths, Science and Technology
Biodiversity Education and Awareness to Grow a Living Environment
(BEAGLE)
Comenius Multilateral Project
Institutions involved:
Helmholtz – Centre for Environmental Research (Germany), Hungarian Society of
Environmental Education (Hungary), Miljolare.no, Norwegian Environmental Education
Network (Norway), Slovak Environmental Agency (Slovakia), Field Studies Council
(UK).
Coordinating institution:
University of Warsaw Centre for Educational Studies (Poland)
Key words: Teaching materials, Sustainability, Awareness, Environmental education
Description:
BEAGLE is an online free biodiversity project open to all schools in Europe. The overall
objective of the BEAGLE biodiversity project was to improve the quality of learning
outside the classroom and enhance pupils’ motivation to learn. It encouraged the
awareness and understanding of teachers and young people that European and
global scale solutions are required for successful sustainable development.
As a result, it enhanced teacher's knowledge and understanding of biodiversity
and sustainable development through effective and relevant out of classroom
learning experiences for young people. It motivated pupils to explore the curriculum in
a non-classroom based context and encouraged them to make connections with other
subject areas. A school in Denmark used this model to build the curriculum around
an environmental theme.
In practical terms the project involved online tree monitoring, supported by a
comprehensive teaching guide. The monitoring was carried out via the website which
would continue for 5 years. This method has been particularly effective in primary
schools which are more used to a multidisciplinary approach.
Duration:
2008 – 2010
Webpage:
http://www.beagleproject.org/en/
http://eacea.ec.europa.eu/llp/projects/public_parts/documents/comenius/com_mp_14
2340_beagle.pdf
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