Exchanging Memories - Memory of the Earth

Summary

The project started from a simple but powerful idea: the Earth keeps its memory in rocks, fossils, landscapes, biodiversity and human stories. If students learn to read this memory, they can better understand the past, act more responsibly in the present and prepare for a more sustainable future. From this idea, the partnership developed an educational approach that connects schools with UNESCO Global Geoparks and transforms local environments into open-air classrooms. 

“EMME made me look differently at nature. Now, when I see a rock, a hill, a fossil or even an old stone building, I wonder what story is hidden there. The project taught me that young people can understand science and protect heritage.” 

Topic(s) addressed

• Geoscience and natural sciences
• Environmental education and sustainability
• Digital competence and ICT
• Citizenship and community engagement
• Literacy, communication and storytelling
• Inclusion and flexible learning 

Target group(s)  

• Students aged 12–19
• Teachers and educators 

Methodologies used

The project used a strong multidisciplinary approach, bringing together geology, palaeontology, geography, biology, ecology, history, local culture, ICT, storytelling and citizenship education. The #EMME Curriculum was structured around five interconnected units, allowing students to understand that environmental issues cannot be studied from a single perspective only. A fossil, a rock, a volcanic landscape or an old stone building became a starting point for scientific inquiry, cultural interpretation, digital documentation and reflection on sustainability. Learning was not limited to textbooks or classroom explanations. Students learned in real places: in geoparks, on trails, near geosites, in school grounds and local communities, and in other natural environments.

Innovation environment

EMME created an innovative environment by treating the school not only as a place where learning happens, but also as an organisation capable of connecting people, resources and territories around a common educational purpose. The learning environments created through EMME were diverse and complementary. The project built a positive organisational climate by encouraging shared responsibility and peer learning among partners. EMME showed that innovation can start from existing resources when they are reinterpreted for educational purposes. This was particularly important for schools with varying levels of infrastructure, as the activities could be adapted to urban and rural contexts. The #EMME Goes Digital app supported this sustainable approach. 

Teachers’ role

The role of teachers went beyond implementing activities, acting as innovators, co-authors, facilitators, mentors and reflective practitioners. EMME trusted teachers as professionals capable of transforming the broad idea of ‘Memory of the Earth’ into concrete learning experiences for students. They worked together with geopark educators and university specialists to design the curriculum, adapting scientific content to school realities and to the needs of learners. They selected relevant topics, proposed activities, tested lesson sequences, collected feedback and contributed to the final structure of the curriculum. They encouraged students to take active roles as observers, young researchers, digital creators and ambassadors of local heritage. 

Impact and output

The project moved environmental and geoscience education from abstract content to meaningful experiences, helping learners understand that science is connected to their own landscapes, communities and daily choices. Students developed greater curiosity, confidence and environmental responsibility, as well as improved scientific literacy, digital skills, communication competences and civic responsibility. Teachers also experienced a significant professional impact, developing skills in interdisciplinary teaching, outdoor learning, formative assessment, digital content creation and cooperation with external educational partners. 

EMME helped students and teachers see the environment not as a distant topic, but as a living classroom and a shared responsibility.

Learn more about the project