SIEU is a European project in the framework of the Intelligent Energy Europe programme, the overall objective of which is to increase the involvement and responsibility of a large group of intermediate vocational school students (between the ages of 15-21 years old), teachers, businesses, local governments/municipalities in the field of energy saving and renewable energy technology.
The methodology for the SIEU projects builds upon the successful Dutch “Schools for Sustainability” (SfS) programme and also relevant programmes in partner countries. Students from vocational schools act as “consultants” and as such advise businesses, NGOs and local governments/municipalities about sustainability and energy issues. By doing so, the students learn in a creative and interactive way how to find sustainable answers. Through internet, literature and by contact with real experts, students develop a searching attitude towards sustainability issues. The aim of SIEU is to focus and strengthen the SfS approach to “Energy”, i.e. energy saving and renewable energy technologies, with the help of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) organisations.
At the end of the project a validated and optimised SIEU methodology will be available to all other European Member states. Participating groups for the project are students and teachers of intermediate vocational schools. They will have ownership of their own student groups as well as building good links with the co-operating businesses; local government and civil organisation assisting with the future dissemination of the SIEU project.
Renewable energy in Catalonia
Throughout these two years, a total of 10 school centres from different parts of Catalonia in northern Spain have participated in the SIEU programme, applying the successful 'Storyline' methodology, based on a type of learning that involves all the students to participate in an active way.
The assignments have been varied, from developing a municipal energy plan to studying the possibility of installing a PV system on the roof of the school, in conjunction with Pallars Sobirà County Council and the municipalities of Cornellà de Llobregat and Figueres among others.
According to Ecoserveis, which coordinated the project in Spain, SIEU enables students to be “in contact with the real world by providing solutions to energy sustainability in a creative and interactive way, thereby giving them new knowledge and experience for their future, personally professionally”.
Energy studies in Romania
Meanwhile, in the Transylvanian region of Romania, students from four vocational schools have been working on a variety of SIEU school projects. In Cluj Napoca, a class from the “Apáczai Csere János” school have analysed the lighting system used in the retail stores of their client: The CORA Romania, offering the client advice on more energy efficient lighting.
Another group from the “Zeyk Domokos” school, started to build a solar-powered fruit drier using recycled materials. The plans of this simple fruit dryer will be handed out to farmers living in the Küküllő river valley, who are interested in finding solutions to increase the market value of their products.
The experiences of these students, teachers and clients who are actively taking part in these diverse projects are providing essential information for adapting the “Schools for Intelligent Energy Use” methodology to the conditions of the Romanian Educational System.
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