Educational program for schools in Athens.
The educational program “The Child, the City and the Monuments” is a remarkable initiative launched by the City of Athens to provide a unique learning experience to students. The program is being carried out by the Technopolis City of Athens in collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Religious Affairs, and Sports (Directorates of Primary and Secondary Education) and the Athens School of Fine Arts (Athens School of Fine Arts Liaison Office).
The program’s main objective is to promote the development of active citizenship skills among school children. It provides them with the necessary tools to explore and appreciate their city, including its monuments and historical landmarks. The program aims to instil a love for the city in the children and motivate them to protect its heritage. The program offers a comprehensive training system for both teachers and students. In Primary Education, the program focuses on Athens’ outdoor sculptures, while in Secondary Education, it focuses on its architectural heritage and graffiti.
The program’s inception in 2016 resulted from an original and inspiring idea by Popi Diamantakou (2015-2019), who served as a municipal councillor and Chairperson of the Board of Technopolis. Thanks to the collaboration of a diverse team of scientists, educators, architects, urban planners, archaeologists, art conservators, and artists, the program was brought to life with great care and attention to detail. The involvement of renowned educational organizations such as the Alexandros Soutzos Museum-National Gallery, the Department of Conservation of Antiquities and Works of Art of the University of West Attica, the Piraeus Bank Group Cultural Foundation (PIOP) and Monumenta, further contributed to the program’s success, a true testament to the power of teamwork and the value of innovation.
From October 2016 to the summer of 2020, 217 schools, 463 teachers, and 6,540 students were able to participate in the program entirely for free. Through training seminars, conservators’ visits, and other resources like handbooks, guided tours, books, and transportation, the program has made a lasting impact on the community.
In June 2018, as part of the program, Technopolis and PIOP published the Guide to Educational Activities for Primary Education, which is available free of charge to participating schools and is accessible to everyone online.
The Institute of Educational Policy (IEP) approved the program for implementation in Primary Education during the 2018-2019 school year, recognizing its potential to enhance the learning experience. The program was also honoured with the gold award in the “Educational Visits and Experiential Learning” category at the Education Leaders Awards 2020 competition, highlighting its success in providing students with unique educational opportunities.
https://kids4thecity.gr/
213 0109300 (int. 115)
info@kids4thecity.gr
Technopolis City of Athens, 100 Piraeus Str, Athens, 11854