Communication Actions
Pilot project on the use of the archaeological sites and museums of Northeastern Chalkidiki as educational resources
“Pilot project on the use of the archaeological sites and museums of Northeastern Chalkidiki as educational resources” 2016
The aim of the program was to inform primary school teachers about the antiquities and monuments of their region as well as their optimal exploitation by students in the context of projects or other educational activities. The first part was implemented by organizing training seminars.
By adopting a holistic approach to the monuments (movable-immovable/tangible-intangible), the primary aim of the meetings was to inform and train teachers in relation to the educational activities of the Archaeological Service and to bring them up to date with the restoration and enhancement projects undertaken by the Ephorate. In addition, teachers were given the opportunity to gain more knowledge on monuments or sets of monuments and archaeological sites of specific geographical locations of historical significance, as well as the institutional framework for their protection. This would mean that teachers could be fully engaged in the process of educational programs and make it more effective. On the other hand, the cultural routes of knowledge and entertainment were created by the students themselves, who actively participated even in the primary stages of implementation of the educational activity (i.e. topic selection).
The common objectives of the pilot project are summarized below:
- To introduce teachers to the concept of cultural heritage of the past and the ways to interpret it.
- To provide insight into how teachers and students should treat monuments and objects not only as vestiges of the past but also as bearers of memory and identity, by developing criticism and dialogue to reflect on their preservation.
- To allow students themselves to create cultural routes of knowledge and entertainment by utilizing the rich cultural ‘reserve’ of monuments of the recent past in each region.
- To take an experiential approach to historical knowledge through interactive games and activities for the purpose of entertainment and research.
- To encourage the idea of cooperation with the local community and emphasize its role in preserving the recent past and the intangible cultural heritage.
The project concluded with an event at the cultural center of the Municipality of Aristotle in Ierissos on June 1st, 2016, where the presentation of all the activities carried out by the students during the school year took place. In addition, a collective volume was published with all the activities of the school units that participated in the project (ISBN 978-960-93-9139-9).
Planning & Organization:
Dr. A. Polyzoudi, Archaeologist, Ephorate of Antiquities of Chalkidiki and Mount Athos
Dr. Apostolos Paraskevas, Teacher-School Counselor, 3rd Educational Region of Chalkidiki
In cooperation with:
Directorate of Primary Education of Chalkidiki
Center of Environmental Education of Arnaia, Chalkidiki
