A project developed by 36 Year 6 students at Oeiras International School (OIS) won first place, tied, in the second tier of the national challenge “WETLANDS – A Treasure to Conserve,” promoted by the Lisbon Zoo in partnership with the Eco-Schools/ABAAE Program and the Directorate-General for Education, as announced in a press release.
According to the same source, this recognition complements the awarding of the Green Eco-Schools Flag, for the second consecutive year, the program’s highest accolade, which distinguishes schools that demonstrate a sustained commitment to environmental education and sustainability. Coordinated in Portugal by the Associação Bandeira Azul de Ambiente e Educação (ABAAE), the Eco-Schools international program recognizes the work carried out by school communities in promoting environmentally responsible practices.
The winning project originated from a reality close to the students. The OIS campus is set in a natural area crossed by a stream, and after flood events recorded during the winter, the students began to investigate issues such as soil impermeability, urbanization along waterways, habitat loss, and the role of wetlands in water management and biodiversity.
Started on February 2, World Wetlands Day, the work was developed in an interdisciplinary manner among Portuguese, the Unit of Inquiry and the Arts. The students participated in all stages, from research and message definition to the production of materials and the presentation of the project to the public.
The research gave rise to texts, posters, artworks using reused materials and natural elements, and a documentary video about the project. The exhibition was initially presented at the school, but the students wanted to take their message further: they contacted the Parish Council and the Oeiras City Hall, seeking to involve the local community in raising awareness for the preservation of wetlands.
With the support of the Oeiras City Hall, the opportunity arose to present the work at Oeiras Parque. The exhibition was inaugurated on April 22, Earth Day, in a ceremony that counted the presence of the Councillor of the Oeiras City Hall, Pedro Patacho, and was open to the public until May 6. The students themselves presented and explained the contents to visitors, bringing outside the school the knowledge gained and the messages they deemed important to share.
“This project shows how learning can begin with real problems and transform into action. The students investigated, involved different entities, and carried their message into the community, developing skills such as critical thinking, communication and active citizenship,” says Robert Tomalin, Principal of Oeiras International School.
The national challenge victory and the Green Eco-Schools Flag award for the second year running reflect the work that OIS has been carrying out in the field of environmental education. More than the recognitions, these initiatives show how students can take an active role in identifying problems, seeking solutions, and raising community awareness about issues that are part of their reality.
