Poland activities completed (26 - 31 May 2025)
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SCHOOL BACKGROUND
Szkoła Podstawowa im. Jana Wawrzynka w Kuźni Raciborskiej, Poland Our school, located in the south of Poland,
has a long and proud tradition. It first opened its doors on 1 September 1952 and, for many years, it was the
only primary school in our town. In the 1970s, the school was full of life and energy, with more than
1,200 pupils studying here. At that time, classes were so crowded that lessons had to be held in two shifts.
Since 2001, following an education reform, we have once again been the only Primary School in Kuźnia Raciborska.
Today, we welcome not only children from our town but also from the nearby villages of Siedliska and Turze.
This makes our school a true center of learning and community life.
We are proud of both our history
and our openness to the future. Our facilities include 17 modern classrooms, a large sports hall, a gymnastic
and corrective room, and a common room for our youngest pupils. Currently, more than 300 students attend our school,
supported and guided by a dedicated team of 35 teachers.
The parton of our school is
Jan Wawrzynek – a Silesian insurgent, social and political activist, and a symbol of courage and commitment to Poland.
His example continues to inspire our students every day.
At our school, children not only gain knowledge but also grow as responsible citizens. In addition to a strong
foundation in all subjects, they have the opportunity to learn two foreign languages – English and German
– which prepares them to connect with the wider world.
With a rich past and a bright future, the Primary School in Kuźnia Raciborska is more than just a place of learning
– it is a place where young people develop their talents, values, and dreams.
PROJECT COORDINATOR COMMENT
Maria Minko
Szkoła Podstawowa im. Jana Wawrzynka w Kuźni Raciborskiej, Poland
Hello, my name is Maria Minko, and I am the coordinator of the Erasmus+ project H2Our Life in Poland.
Coordinating this project has been both a great responsibility and a wonderful experience for me.
I truly believe that water is life, and raising awareness about water literacy is one of the most important
missions we can undertake for the future of our planet. Through this project, I have seen how international
cooperation can bring people together, inspire students, and encourage meaningful actions for sustainability.
Working with partners from different countries has given me the opportunity to exchange ideas, learn new perspectives,
and grow both professionally and personally. I am proud of what we have achieved so far and excited about
the impact we will continue to make.
For me, H2Our Life is more than a project – it is a step towards building a more responsible, eco-friendly,
and united world.
INSTITUTIONAL VISITS
Rudy Forest District
https://rudy-raciborskie.katowice.lasy.gov.pl/aktualnosci/-/asset_publisher/Xo7Mj1ZwmkUI/content/
adaptacja-lasow-i-lesnictwa-do-zmian-klimatu-kontynuacja-projektow-b
The aim of our visit and cooperation with the Rudy Forest District was to educate children and students about
tree planting and help them realize the importance of forests in our lives. Since trees need water,
this institution has also addressed issues related to water management.
We learned about various problems
forests face, and students were particularly curious about forest fires and protection methods.
“We are increasingly experiencing the negative effects of climate change in the form of droughts, fires, floods,
inundations, heavy or prolonged precipitation, extreme surface runoff, and the devastating effects of floodwaters.
This problem affects not only humans but also the surrounding nature. Therefore, foresters are once again embarking
on projects that will strengthen the resilience of lowland and mountain forest ecosystems to the threats of
climate change,” claimed the workers.
They also informed us about a comprehensive project for adapting forests and forestry to climate change
— small-scale water retention and counteracting water erosion in lowland areas (MRN3) – continuation.
Municipal Water and Sewage Company in Kuźnia Raciborska
The main task of the company is to provide, treat, and deliver high-quality water to all consumers in accordance
with current legal requirements, and to collect and treat wastewater while minimizing environmental impact.
We were truly inspired by the company’s effective and efficient cooperation. Their commitment to customer
satisfaction through reliable delivery of clean water and responsible wastewater treatment, while also caring
for nature, deeply impressed the students.
It is not easy in this town to ensure clean water and a healthy environment for all inhabitants.
The workers explained to the students how the system operates, and of course, we shared information about
our Erasmus project.
We also watched a very interesting presentation about water prepared by the staff. We even learned how wastewater
is treated and what happens during the purification process.
Kuźnia Raciborska Commune
The meeting with the mayor was another opportunity to discuss water shortages and the need for prudent water management,
as the commune faces the risk of sudden flooding caused by heavy rains — also linked to climate change.
The students asked the mayor several questions about drinking water sources and the threat of water
contamination in the commune.
We also presented the mayor with the main objectives and goals of our project. The students had very fond memories
of their visit to City Hall.
SUMMARY OF ACTIVITIES
THIRD MOBILITY: POLAND
CLEAN WATER SEEKERS
26h May- 31st May
Erasmus+ "H2Our Life"
Day 1 – Participants’ Arrival and Introduction
The first day was dedicated to welcoming participants and introducing them to the project goals. Students took part
in ice-breaking activities organized by the hosting school, with special inclusion of disabled pupils to promote
equality and participation.
A Project Logo and Banners were presented as a folders " CLEAN WATER SEEKERS visually.
Participants enjoyed singing karaoke songs related to the environment and climate change, including filling
in missing lyrics from the Earth Song.
A Zumba dance session was held under the theme “We are the World”,
combining fun with environmental awareness.
Geography lessons and a school competition about the biggest rivers in various countries followed.
The day concluded with a parade “Water for Life” through the town of Kuźnia Raciborska. Students carried
banners and logos, raising local awareness about the importance of water preservation.
Day 2 – What Do We Know About Water?
The second day focused on gaining scientific and social understanding of water-related issues.
Activities included:
A quiz for children testing knowledge about the water cycle and rivers.
A presentation prepared by students on the water cycle in nature, illustrated with drawings, photos, and videos.
Brainstorming sessions titled “Do people pollute water?”, where mixed international groups discussed
human impact on water quality and scarcity.
A kayaking activity on the River Odra, where students
collected water samples, checked pollution rates, and cooperated in teams.
A visit to the City Hall and the Mayor of Kuźnia Raciborska to present the project objectives.
A school laboratory experiment testing the water quality of the Odra River.
A debate on “Scarcity of water – Is it a probslem for the town?”, organized with the participation of
local government officials.
Art and design workshops, where students created posters promoting water recycling and environmental
protection.
Day 3 – Water Quality and Recycling
This day emphasized practical and experimental learning.
Students learned about how water is being recycled and participated in creative smart city concepts focusing
on sustainable water use.They tested samples of water from the downstream of the Vistula River, checking
quality parameters during a study trip to Kraków.
The activity was followed by laboratory analysis and a presentation of results using visual data and
scientific explanations.
Day 4 – Awareness and Dissemination
The final working day focused on summarizing knowledge and spreading awareness.
Students prepared a water quality report comparing local and international results.
A webinar on sustainable water use was conducted, encouraging participants to adopt eco-friendly habits and
share good practices.
The project ended with a Certificate Ceremony, rewarding students for their participation and achievements.
Expected Results and Impact
As a result of these activities, participants:
-Learned about water scarcity, pollution, and recycling.
-Developed critical thinking about environmental issues.
-Improved English language and teamwork skills through international collaboration.
-Acquired scientific and eco-friendly habits.
-Promoted respect for the environment and inclusivity (especially involving disabled students).
-Gained understanding of 3R principles (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle).
-Strengthened transnational cooperation and civic engagement.
The project raised local awareness through media and public events, contributing to a long-term impact on the
community of Kuźnia Raciborska and participants