Chania, 4th day: Farewell dinner

19.30: Farewell dinner at Erotokritos restaurant with Cretan music and dances - We thank a lot the musicians Nikos Tzanakis (lyra), Manousos Kostogiannis (lute) and Nikolas Andreakis (guitar) and the dancers of the Traditional Dance Association "Stavraeti" for their friendly participation. Special thanks to Vilma Mavromataki for the cake!

Chania, 4th day: The benefits of technology - Activities at Mavromatakis Private School

10.00: “Technology within the frame of protecting the environment and counteracting climate change – Drones and SandMap utilized for our benefit”, Workshop on Geodesy and Information Technology of Geosciences at the Technical University of Crete - On the last day of our training meeting,we had the pleasure of welcoming Technical University of Crete Professor, Dr. Panagiotis Partsinevelos and his team to our school! Through a very interesting presentation we learned about the beneficial use of technology for the environment and humans! We were impressed with the experimental demonstration that revealed that the deeds of the past can be traced and recognized by their thermal footprint! The show was stolen by the drone in a virtual rescue of a trapped man with the transport of essentials! All of us, students and teachers, had the opportunity to realize that the solution to our problems lies in human intelligence and cooperation (21st century skills). We sincerely thank!

Coffee break and buffet offering

12.00: Collaborative activities: A) Meeting of the coordinators of each group, evaluation of the activities and coordination of the next steps in the program - B) Group activities in the classrooms and in the school yard

13.00: Plenary Session, Reflection, Award Ceremony and Farewell Gifts

Buffet as an offering from teachers and parents for the guest Partners (pupils and accompanying teachers)

Chania 3rd day: Sustainable Business

9.30: Manousakis Winery "Products of Cretan land for kids and adults, example of sustainable development" 

A family vision and much work turned the small vineyard nestled in the foothills of the mountains to a thriving winery which exports its products all over the world. Organic cultivation of the vines, well organized and scientific production, guided tours and activities, a hospitable place for pick-nicks or feasting events give an example of a modern open-minded and sustainable business! 

11.00: Antonakis Synergatiki S.A. Citrus and Avocado Company "Cretan land products for locals and foreigners, example of sustainable development" 

"This company originally aimed at the packaging and marketing of citrus fruits under the brand name Creta Star. In 2000, it was the first company in Greece to invest in avocados, creating an exclusive packaging line for avocados. Later in 2007, started to produce organic fruit for all kinds of fruits it was already producing." The last innovation and success story of this company is the organic cultivation of aloe-vera and the production of the full of benefits aloe-vera beverage!

12.30: Agia Lake "The hydroelectric dam and the lake's aquatic ecosystem" - activities 

The artificial lake of Agia was "created" by the Greek Public Electricity-Power Corporation for the production of hydroelectric power. The factory started to operate in 1928 and the old facilities can still work. The lake hosts many species of domestic flora and fauna and it is also the refuge for many migratory birds. - Lunch at Lake Café

17.00: Visiting the Tombs of Venizelos: Panoramic view of the city at sunset from a location with a strange name. Historic aspects of this picturesque place.

Chania, 2nd day: Educational field trip to Botanical Gardens and Omalos plateau

9.45: Visiting the Botanical Park and Gardens of Crete at Fourne village, "... a nearly 20 hectares of land [...] full of fruit trees from all over the world, herbs, medicinal and ornamental plants in a park different from others, where the land’s formation and the region’s microclimate make it a paradise for hundreds of plants and animals! In the midst of this colorful and vivid landscape stands a burnt centennial olive tree, a memorial and a reference to the dismal fires of 2003, the park’s history and origin." Tour of students and teachers joint student activities from the three participating schools “The Color Hunt”.  Presentation of results - snack time

11.30: Visiting Omalos plateau, the museum at Omalos, infomative presentation regarding the flora and fauna of Crete “Sustainable (?) production methods at the Omalos plateau”

The plateau of Omalos is surrounded by the high peaks of the White Mountains (or Madares: "Bald" Mountains) at 1,040 to 1,250 meters and is about 40 km from the town of Chania. It is a place full of history and wild beauty. In Xyloskalo there is a forest outpost and information centre (small museum) about White Mountains and Samaria. Livestock and farming activities raise questions about sustainable production and the protection of the natural environment.

13.00: Visit to Xyloskalo, Informative presentation concerning the National Forest Park of Samaria “Protecting the environment, protecting ourselves” "The broader area of Samaria constitutes a clearly established and spatially defined territory. Within this area one encounters a diversity of landscape features with particular characteristics of ecological and cultural value." From the location Xyloskalo there is the start of the path along the world famous Samaria gorge. Above the entrance of Samaria gorge the  rough mountain of Gigilos (Rotten) rises its wild beaty.

13.30: Feasting at Xyloskalo with traditional courses.

16.00: Departure for Seliniotiko Gyro, Petra Seli (wind turbines), Sebrona (chestnuts) and back to Chania 

Chania, 1st day: Guided tour around the old town

16.30: Meeting with Partners at their hotel “Guided tour around the Old Town of Chania - an aspect of urban meets natural environment” by Konstantinos Manolakis

Task: Each group of the participants had to shoot 5 photos showing:

a) an aspect of the urban environment

b) an aspect of the natural environment

c) a combination of urban and natural environment

d) what they liked the most

e) what they didn't like at all

Each group had also to give an answer to the question: "Do the residents of this town love their town?"

Chania: 1st day, workshops for students and teachers

During the 1st day of our meeting in Mavromatakis Private School, students and teachers had the opportunity to participate in the following:

11.30: Parallel workshops for students and teachers regarding the program

A) Repurposing Old T-Shirts (Maria Mountaki, Maria Pontikaki)

B) Creating music from "disposable" objects (Kyriaki Bonatou, Angeliki Galanaki)

C) Balancing what the sea rinsed out (Dora Sfika, Maria Georgousaki)

13.00: Plenary session, presentation of the activities and results of each workshop - Reflection

13.30: Collaborative activity in the school garden: “Plant a tree, save the planet” (Mr. Antonis Mavromatakis)

14.00: Lunch for invited Partners (students and teachers) in the indoor gym

5th meeting in Greece (1)

Pupils and teachers’ work meeting in Crete at Mavromatakis Private School in Chania, Crete

Welcome Event for our Partners, students and teachers, from Italy, United Kingdom, Estonia, France and Hungary in the frame of the Erasmus+ project «Growing up in 21st Century's Europe».

Program

A musical welcome from our school choir under the direction of the music teacher, Ms. Kyriaki Bonatou: Ode to joy (Greek version), We are the world)

“The challenge to grow up in 21st century”, speech by the Head teacher Mr. Konstantinos Manolakis

Greetings by the Vice Mayor of Chania, Mr. Y. Nikiforakis and the Director of Primary Education of Chania, Mr. M. Miliarakis

Traditional music and dances (instructed by the PE teacher Mr Panagiotis Svourakis). Guest musicians: Manousos Kostogiannis (laouto - lute), Nikos Tzanakis (lyra) and the Traditional Association of folklore dance “Stavraetoi”

A treat with coffee and pastries followed.