The district’s education office promotes sustainable education at the Stätzling middle school
The Stätzling middle school is setting an example for sustainability and education: under the motto “Our playground is becoming green and edible – for people and animals”, class 7a has started an impressive project. The school grounds are being transformed into a green oasis that benefits not only the environment but also the community.
As part of their project, the students in class 7a are planting crops and insect-friendly flowers in raised beds made from industrial pallets. They are supported by the Breumair vegetable gardening company in Stätzling. The class teacher, Mr. Glaser, explains: “Our goal is to teach the students how important sustainability is in everyday life. By growing their own food, they learn directly about the value of food and how we can protect the environment through responsible action.”
Thanks to the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) funding guidelines of the Education Office in the Aichach-Friedberg District Office, this project can be realized and implemented. It is in line with the ESD sustainability goals, which aim to impart knowledge about sustainable development and promote action skills. “The students learn through practical experience how to manage their economy sustainably and promote biodiversity,” explains education manager Luna Winter. “They understand that their decisions and actions, such as buying regionally produced food, have a direct impact on the environment.”
The planning process at the Stätzling Middle School began with the joint decision to build raised beds ourselves and select the appropriate plants. The gardening experts visited the school in the spring and contributed their knowledge and materials. “This cooperation shows how important it is to involve local communities in educational projects,” says youth social worker Silke Paulus. “With the support of local experts, we can impart well-founded, practical knowledge from our own real lives to the students.”
Soon after, the students put their plans into action and built three raised beds. They used recycled materials and learned important sustainable construction techniques in the process. “These craft skills are an essential part of ESD because they show how to work creatively and in a resource-saving way,” explains their class teacher.
Afterwards, the beds were planted with various vegetables and herbs. “By planting and caring for the plants, the young people gain knowledge about organic farming methods and the protection of the plant world,” emphasises Eva Rösch from the education office. Practical handling of the plants increases awareness of the importance of natural resources and the need to protect them.
Shortly before the Whitsun holidays, the students were able to harvest the first lettuce and radishes. “This harvesting experience is central to understanding cycles in nature,” says one student. “It shows us how sustainably produced food tastes better and what efforts are behind it.”
“This project not only promotes environmental awareness, but also social skills and teamwork,” emphasizes Silke Paulus, who initiated the “School Garden” project. “Shared successes and the experience of sustainability in everyday school life strengthen the sense of togetherness and responsibility for one another and for our environment.”
The raised beds and flower boxes were maintained and the vegetables and herbs harvested until the summer holidays. The plan is to plant the beds with autumn vegetables in the autumn. “We want children and young people to internalize the principles of sustainability and pass them on,” say the voices from the district council’s education office about the ESD funding guideline. “In the long term, we hope that they will apply these experiences in their everyday lives and thus become multipliers for sustainable thinking and action.”
The Stätzling Middle School project is an outstanding example of how education for sustainable development can be integrated into everyday school life. It shows how students are enabled through practical learning to actively contribute to shaping a sustainable future. Further information is available on the district administration’s website.
