Air_Sun + Climate

A new project from digi_space.

Kreis Bergstrasse is coordinator of  the 24/25 ERASMUS+ small-scale partnership: 

Discover the ERASMUS+ project "Air_Sun + Climate" – an initiative aimed at developing practical workshops on environmental and climate-related topics. In collaboration with our partners from Spain and Turkey, we are working on innovative approaches to promote the interest and skills of students in the field of environmental protection and climate change. Participants will experience interactive workshops on air quality measurements, solar energy systems, and climate adaptation technologies. Additionally, we offer two virtual meetings to acquaint them with renewable energy and climate adaptation strategies. "Erasmus+ KA210 Air_Sun + Climate" is an important step towards raising awareness of environmental and climate issues and actively contributing to shaping a sustainable future.

Project Goals

The Erasmus+ KA210 Air_Sun + Climate aims to develop practical workshops on environmental and climate-related topics. Often, students perceive environmental protection and climate change issues as overwhelming and difficult to access, despite these (natural) phenomena being explainable through the sciences. Within the framework of this Small Partnership, we collaborate with our partners from Spain and Turkey on innovative approaches. Together, we develop practical workshops and lesson plans for use in schools to promote the interest, access, and skills of students in the field of environmental protection and climate change. The project employs the concept of practice-oriented learning activities. Students will work on the following topics, among others:

1. "AIR: measurements and modelling," with the overarching goal of demonstrating the impact of humans on the climate. This includes interactive workshops on air quality measurements and modeling.

2. "SUN: solar energy," with the overarching goal of showcasing the opportunities of solar energy systems. This encompasses interactive workshops on photovoltaics as well as the latest heating and cooling systems.

3. "CLIMATE: new technology and adaptation," with the overarching goal of demonstrating the requirements of climate adaptation in cities using the latest technologies.

Additionally, students have the opportunity to familiarize themselves with technologies and agile, innovative methods in the field of renewable energy and climate adaptation in two virtual meetings. The "Erasmus+ KA210 Air_Sun + Climate" project is an important step towards raising awareness of environmental and climate-related issues and providing students with the opportunity to actively participate in shaping a sustainable future.

First transnational workshop

AIR: measurements and modelling

Students from Germany, (district of Bergstrasse), Spain (District of Granada) and Türkiye (Istanbul) learned more about climate and the environment in an international hands-on workshop / First workshop of the ERASMUS+ project “Air_Sun+Climate” held in Heppenheim from 6. - 10. October 2024.

The young people dealt with the influence of humans on air quality and the climate and the construction and coding of sensebox systems. There was also an excursion to the climate arena in Sinsheim. The international group also visited the observatory in Heppenheim to learn about space weather and Tyco Electronics in Bensheim to find out about components for the energy transition.

The central task of the workshop week was to set up and program one of the five Sensebox stations. These can measure particulate matter, UV radiation and meteorological data, among other things. This data will then be made publicly available on opensensemap.org. The five stations built will be installed at the Heppenheim District Office, Heppenheim Observatory, Lorsch Youth Center and the schools in Istanbul and Granda by the end of the year and can all be found on opensensemap.org using the search term “airsunclimate”.

“The 'Air_Sun + Climate' project is an important step towards raising awareness of environmental and climate issues among young people. At the same time, it offers pupils the opportunity to play an active role in shaping a sustainable future. It combines climate protection with the use of modern technologies in an exciting and valuable way,” emphasizes District Administrator Christian Engelhardt. 

Second transnational workshop

SUN: solar energy

From November 25th to 29th 2024, our school, 'Escultor Sánchez Mesa’, had the pleasure of hosting a group of German and Turkish students and teachers as part of the Erasmus project. This experience allowed us to engage in a week full of enriching activities and workshops, fostering cultural exchange and cooperation among European students.

Throughout the Erasmus mobility trips, various workshops and excursions have been organized, promoting not only educational and cultural experiences but also fostering friendships and cooperation among participants. From visits to renewable energy centers to guided tours of historical landmarks, each activity aimed to enhance intercultural understanding and collaboration.

During their time in Granada, the Erasmus partners delved into the progress and possibilities of renewable energy technology by touring the Science Park, the CLUSTER building in Padul, and the solar energy research center in Tabernas/Almería. They also took the opportunity to appreciate the region's history and culture, with visits to the Alhambra and other notable sites in and around Granada.

At the Otura workshop, Jan Fuchs provided a quick overview and introduction of the Sensbox board that was created in Germany earlier in the project. As he circulated the device among the participants, he detailed its elements and functions, focusing on its capacity to gather data on air quality, temperature, humidity, and other environmental aspects. He stressed the potential of the Sensbox board in monitoring and evaluating air quality instantaneously, offering important information for enhancing health and wellness.

The Erasmus stay in Otura concluded with a workshop at our school’s laboratory, followed by a traditional Andalusian lunch, symbolizing the bonds formed and the memories shared during this unforgettable experience.

Third transnational workshop

CLIMATE: Urban adaptation and resilience

As part of the Erasmus+ project Air_Sun + Climate, the third international student workshop took place in Istanbul from 4.- 10. May 2025. Students and teachers from the project regions in Germany (Kreis Bergstraße), Spain (Granada) and Türkiye (Istanbul) gathered for a week-long program focusing on climate adaptation in urban areas.

The host school in Gaziosmanpaşa, Istanbul, designed a varied and practical agenda that combined interactive workshops with expert inputs and institutional visits. The goal: raising awareness of climate challenges and promoting concrete adaptation strategies at local and regional levels.

Among the highlights of the week were visits to the Climate Change Directorate of Istanbul, the Gazhane Climate Change Museum, and a major waste management center, where students gained insights into innovative approaches to reducing emissions, promoting sustainability, and increasing public awareness.

Students also explored the city’s cultural and historical landmarks, including the Hagia Sophia, Blue Mosque, and Dolmabahçe Palace. These excursions offered opportunities for intercultural exchange and gave deeper context to the challenges of protecting heritage while advancing environmental goals in a growing metropolis.

The mobility concluded with student presentations and a certificate ceremony. The workshop not only strengthened understanding of climate adaptation and urban sustainability but also fostered teamwork, intercultural exchange, and creative thinking.

The Istanbul mobility demonstrated how climate education can be embedded in real-life contexts—linking science, policy, and civic responsibility across borders.

“Seeing our students take initiative, ask critical questions, and work together across cultures was one of the most rewarding aspects of this week. It shows how important it is to give young people a platform for action—and the tools to help shape a sustainable future.”

— Project team, Istanbul

Back home, the school teams are working on several student-led projects which are connected to the Air_Sun + Climate project:

• economic analysis of solar panel systems on school rooftops
• creation of a school garden using native plants
• design of an energy-saving campaign
• reflection sessions on how local efforts contribute to global climate goals

New teaching material and resources

The new teaching material developed as part of the Erasmus+ KA210 Air_Sun + Climate project aims to make environmental and climate-related topics more accessible and engaging for students. By collaborating with partners from Spain and Turkey, we have created practical workshops and lesson plans that focus on topics such as air quality measurements, solar energy systems, and climate adaptation technologies. Through interactive activities and virtual meetings, students will have the opportunity to learn about the impact of humans on the climate and explore new technologies in the field of renewable energy. This project is an important step in raising awareness of environmental issues and empowering students to take action towards a sustainable future.

The new teaching material and resources is available for free download on this website.

Co-Founded by EU-Program ERASMUS+

The project "Air_Sun + Climate" belongs to the program part "Erasmus+: smale-scale partnerships" and is funded by the programm KA210.

General objective

The general objective of the Programme is to support, through lifelong learning, the educational, professional and personal development of people in education, training, youth and sport, in Europe and beyond, thereby contributing to sustainable growth, quality jobs and social cohesion, to driving innovation, and to strengthening European identity and active citizenship. As such, the Programme shall be a key instrument for building a European Education Area, supporting the implementation of the European strategic cooperation in the field of education and training, with its underlying sectoral agendas. In addition, it is key in advancing youth policy cooperation under the European Union Youth Strategy 2019-2027 and developing the European dimension in sport.

Specific objectives
The Programme has the following specific objectives:

• promote learning mobility of individuals and groups, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion and equity, excellence, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of education and training;
• promote non-formal and informal learning mobility and active participation among young people, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of organisations and policies in the field of youth;
• promote learning mobility of sport staff, as well as cooperation, quality, inclusion, creativity and innovation at the level of sport organisations and sport policies.

More information: German NA: Schulbildung - Erasmus+ (erasmusplus.de)

Project data

Project number:  KA210-HE-23-2-18-173750

Project duration: I/2024 to II/2025
Funding volume: 60,000 € 

Disclaimer

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.