Italy activities completed (20-26 January 2025)
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SCHOOL BACKGROUND
Istituto Comprensivo "G. Grassa - G.B. Quinci", Italy
I.C. Grassa-Quinci school is in Mazara del Vallo, in the province of Trapani, western Sicily with approx.
800 learners from 3 to 14 years old. Besides regular curriculum, the school offers 1 course specialized in
sports (in which students do al lot of different sports during the 2 additional hours they have a week)
and 2 courses specialized in English (that offer two additional hours of English, CLIL lessons , preparation
for International certifications). Around 87 teachers are employed, 19 people belonging to non teachig staff
and 10 Education Assistants for students with special needs. The school has different buildings.
The School offers sustainable activities such as collection of waste to promote environment friendly practices
engaging the next generation in action based learning. The school has a small garden in which students grow
vegetables and flowers . The school has also conducted successful projects to promote and preserve cultural
heritage and the different peoples who conquered our city ( Arabs, Normans, Phoenicians, …). Placed on the
bank of the river Mazaro, the school has carried out different projects dealing with preservation and cleaning
actions of its water passing the importance of the river and its history to new generations.
Since the school is located in one of the most Arab cities in Italy (Five percent of its inhabitants are of
Tunisian origin), we promote scholastic integration of foreign students even through professionals such as
cultural mediators who help students and teachers to make integration possible with Italian literacy courses
to break the language barrier down and support integration.
We have been promoting healthy lifestyles trough different sports ( such as taekwondo, fencing, volleyball,
dancing, cycling etc) .
The school uses digital technologies and the potential offered by Digital Educational Resources in the
teaching-learning process. Our educational innovation plan aims to enhance the key competences of students
through a series of innovative methodological strategies such as Laboratory Teaching, Cooperative Learning,
Peer to Peer, Gaming that support traditional teaching making the learner the protagonist of the learning
process using digital tools. In everyday teaching, many teachers use ICT and participate in training
courses to implement their digital skills. After the pandemic, the school bought a lot of tools: notebooks,
software for SEN students, Interactive Monitors, tablets, charging trolleys for tablets. It promoted the
training of teachers through network agreements with neighboring schools and carried out internal training
by the digital animator. In addition, the school has recently bought 6 mBot-S Explorers with LED matrix and
Bluetooth key.
Mathematics teachers use the Geogebra opensource software, especially in the teaching of Geometry because
the software is easy to use and allows students to carry out real mathematical laboratory activities,
experiences that help students to give meaning to theoretical concepts. It allows students to act dynamically
on the figures: by dragging some elements the students are able to perceive the movement and the transformations
that this involves. Every year the school takes part in in the Coding Hour: the activity consists in making
students carry out an introduction to the basics of computer science, to develop computational thinking.
Extracurricular clubs on Foreign Languages, Arts, Theatre, Music are organized during the school year.
The school is a Cambridge preparation and Exam Center. There are a lot of murals inside and outside the
school building drawn by the students during extra-curricular projects. The school is an e-Twinning School
participating in international projects (for example a very successful e-twinning projects was “Artistic Waste”
which aimed at creating works of art from recycled materials showing them in a virtual Exhibition.)
As we tend towards better inclusiveness, school widely participates in No – Violence against Women Day,
Odd Sock Day and anti-bullying campaigns. The school tries to ensure better adoption of communication
and critical thinking skills through Reading Projects .
The school has hosted students and teachers from Porto, Valencia, Romania, Turkey, Poland, Lithuania.
The school received Erasmus accreditation in 2023 and it has completed a lot of activities within the program.
PROJECT COORDINATOR COMMENT
Maria Laudicina
Istituto Comprensivo "G. Grassa - G.B. Quinci", Italy
Hello, my name is Maria Laudicina, and I am a partner from Italy in the Erasmus+ project H2Our Life.
Being part of this project has been an enriching and inspiring journey for me.
I believe that water is not only a natural resource but also a symbol of life, connection, and responsibility.
Through H2Our Life, I have had the chance to work with international partners, exchange ideas, and share
experiences with students and teachers from different cultures.
This project has taught me that even small daily actions can have a big impact on saving water and protecting
our planet. It has also reminded me of the importance of education in creating a new generation that is more aware,
responsible, and committed to sustainability.
For me, H2Our Life is a unique opportunity to grow together, to learn from each other, and to make a positive
contribution to our common future.
FIRST MOBILITY: ITALY
20 th January- 26 th January
Erasmus+ "H2Our Life" Day 1
An extraordinary Erasmus project aimed at raising awareness in the community about the importance of water and
environmental issues. Partners from Turkey, Poland, and Romania were welcomed at the I.C.G. Grassa-G.B. Quinci
school in Mazara del Vallo with the Italian national anthem and a moving choreography of "Sogna ragazzo Sogna."
After a warm welcome, Italian and foreign students calculated their water footprint together, discovering that
Romania is the most virtuous country. The day concluded with an innovative shared lesson, emphasizing collaboration
and sustainability.
Erasmus+ "H2Our Life" - Day 2
During the second day, participants experienced a day rich in educational activities and environmental awareness.
After delving into the importance of protecting the sea and the environment, students and teachers explored the
tradition of sailing at the Naval League of Mazara del Vallo. The Naval League offered a unique and formative
experience. By learning about knots, winds, and the art of sailing, students and teachers developed
a range of valuable skills and knowledge that can benefit them in many areas of life.
The day continued with an ecological walk along the coasts of Mazara, where participants contributed to cleaning
the beach of plastic, demonstrating a concrete commitment to sustainability.
Finally, the visit to the Mediterranean Sea Sponge company provided an opportunity to discover the essential
role of sea sponges in purifying the marine ecosystem, concluding an experience that combines education, legality,
and respect for the environment. A heartfelt thanks goes to Norrito brothers, whose contribution was
fundamental to the success of this initiative
Erasmus+ "H2Our Life" - Day 3
The third day of the Erasmus H2Our Life project, was dedicated to exploring the beauty and fragility of the sea
through a visit to the CNR of Capo Granitola.
Biologist Gemma Biondo captivated everyone’s attention with an engaging explanation of the importance of marine
biodiversity, highlighting how essential the sea is as a resource to be preserved. She also addressed
a critical issue: the grave danger that plastic poses to marine fauna, with fish and ecosystems at constant
risk of being harmed by human-caused pollution.
Participants had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the connection between tradition and
the environment, with a mention of the historic tuna fishery (tonnara) of Capo Granitola, a symbol of a past
when the sea was lived with respect and sustainability.
This experience left a powerful message with the young participants: the sea is life, and protecting it is
a responsibility that concerns us all.
A heartfelt thanks also goes to Dr. Maria Grazia Armeri, whose contribution was fundamental to the
success of this initiative.
Erasmus+ "H2Our Life" - Day 4
During the forth day, participants appointed PLASTIC BUSTERS and WATER LOVERS ,attended a CLIL lesson on microplastic
detection in aquatic environments using Makeblock mBot2 robots. PLASTIC HUNTER ROBOTS are programmed to detect
waste in the river Mazaro . The robots move on a model reproducing the school located on the bank of the river .
This activity promoted sustainability and digitalization
The activities went on with a lesson on HYDROPONIC CULTIVATION TECHNIQUES to create a seedbed in absence of soil
with inert material and nutrients. Students put the coconut fiber tablets in a container full of water to hydrate
the fibers and make them expand. Then they planted various seeds (aromatic herbs, vegetables and flowers).
A Theatrical Performance: "Roger d’Altavilla and the 3 Rs: United for a Better Future." is performed by the
Italian students. The Musical represented a story of unity , sustainability and courage where
the great leader of the past , Roger d’Altavilla, and the citizens of the present, the students,
join forces to create a happy ending: a cleaner, fairer and more sustainable future for all. The 3R’s rule-
REDUCE, REUSE AND RECYCLE will be presented as the key to fight pollution together and build a better future.
Another important activity was the designing of Smart houses . Students studied a virtuous example of rainwater
collection on the island of Pantelleria and, in International groups, designed houses with a rainwater collection systems.
The morning ended with an ARTISTIC WASTE session, an upcycling activity, , in wich participants created pins using
recycled materials (plastic, buttons, fabric, etc.) and posters.
In the afternoon participants took part in a march through the main streets of Mazara del Vallo to raise awareness ,
carrying slogans and posters .
Erasmus+ "H2Our Life" - Day 5
The activities went on with a day in Palermo .
Main objectives of the italian activities were:
• To create opportunities for the future world shapers in order to take meaningful action addressing to water scarcity.
• To create eco-friendly and green skilled generation,
• To provide teachers to gain 21st century skills,
• To develop the students’ and teachers’ digital skills by integrating new teaching methods with ICT activities
such as apps, sites, blogs, podcasts and so forth.
• To foster integration and provide a multicultural education approach.
Long-term outcomes of the H2Our Life project Italian activities:
Educators- students- parents will:
• follow 3R rule in daily life and internalize green behavior,
• become more responsible not only for water but also other natural sources,
• widen the understanding of school in which educators do not only educate students academically but also provide
them lifelong abilities,
• have different perspectives to unsure a better future.
Students will:
• become enthusiastic reducing early school leaving to the rate 98%
• develop the feeling of belonging to the school and community,
• overcome social discrimination
Teachers will:
• improve their skills regarding to inclusive education within three years,
• integrate digital tools to the curricula by 80%
• seek opportunities to recultivate themselves in terms of promoting student-centered methods,fostering students’
creativity, motivation and autonomy.
INSTITUTIONAL VISIT
Naval League of Mazara del Vallo.
The Naval League offered a unique and formative experience. By learning about knots, winds, and the art of sailing,
students and teachers developed a range of valuable skills and knowledge that can benefit them in many areas of life.
Mediterranean Sea Sponge company
It provided an opportunity to discover the essential role of sea sponges in purifying the marine ecosystem,
concluding an experience that combines education, legality, and respect for the environment. A heartfelt thanks
goes to Norrito brothers, whose contribution was fundamental to the success of this initiative
CNR of Capo Granitola.
At the Research Center Biologists captivated everyone’s attention with an engaging explanation of the importance
of marine biodiversity, highlighting how essential the sea is as a resource to be preserved.They also
addressed a critical issue: the grave danger that plastic poses to marine fauna, with fish and ecosystems
at constant risk of being harmed by human-caused pollution.
Participants had the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the connection between tradition and the environment,
with a mention of the historic tuna fishery (tonnara) of Capo Granitola, a symbol of a past when the sea was lived
with respect and sustainability.
This experience left a powerful message with the young participants: the sea is life, and protecting
it is a responsibility that concerns us all.
A heartfelt thanks also goes to Dr. Maria Grazia Armeri, whose contribution was fundamental
to the success of this initiative.
