Brief summary of the SEA project (Seeking for Ecological Alternatives) cofunded by Erasmus+.

The SEA project (Seeking for Ecological Alternatives) is born from the need, in our schools, to offer our students a coherent, intelligent and shared response to their serious worries about the climate. The project aims to immerse students from two European schools in a deep reflection on current climate problems and ecology in general. Because we are convinced that technology can be reconciled with ecology, we want to gather around one common thread: the construction of an underwater robot able of taking effective measures of water quality in the Mediterranean and North Sea. The Champion's Providence Institute and the Kalamaria Second High School in Greece have all STEM classes (Science Technology Engeneering and Mathematics). Because their orientation is particularly appropriate, these students will be the driving force of the project. Beyond the symbolic, the construction of the robot also aims to raise their motivation and their empowerment.

The first-degree students of Champion will have the main mission (but not unique) to build the theoretical framework of the project. What subject will we be tackled this week? Which robot do we want to build, what for? What could be the topic of our next round table? All those questions, those wishes, fruit of their imagination and their questioning of adult in becoming will be addressed to their elders. The Providence Institute of Champion will bring its's experience to design the robot structure and the Kalamaria High School its's expertise in robotics. So it's really an intergenerational project. Moreover, although specific tasks are assigned for organizational purposes, the main steps will be carried out during our meetings.

Fifteen students from each school will meet for the first time in Champion. This meeting will be an opportunity to define together the basics of the project and structure the communication that will be widespread in each school. It will also be an opportunity for students to carry out the necessary research to establish the specifications of the robot. We will then work jointly before going to Greece where the robot will be motorized, programmed and tested. This second meeting will be an opportunity to draw up a first report and revitalize our communication to all the actors of the participating schools. Finally, the following year, about fifteen Greek students will return to Belgium at a third meeting. This will be an opportunity to test the robot in the North Sea but also to present the impact of the project in each school and ensure its sustainability.

The construction of the robot is part of the project, the thread. In addition to the technical aspect of the project, the "STEM" will also be responsible for conducting research to regularly communicate to their peers (blog, social networks, posters, etc.). So it's not just a STEM project but a school project initiated by the STEM. Whenever possible, we will consult with the various actors of the schools, in order to extend the exploitation of the documents produced in other courses (languages, biology, geography, etc.). In order to reinforce the feeling of belonging to a global movement among our students, parents and colleagues, we will regularly organize discussion tables between schools and intramural. In this way we will be able to develop a lot of qualities in our students: learning the mechanisms of a democratic consultation, development of European citizenship, language learning, empowerment, ability to work collaboratively, entrepreneurial spirit, acceptance of others in their cultural diversity, etc.

Finally, it will not only be a matter of thinking together but of deciding. The two participating schools commit, in consultation with their students, to three strong actions in favor of climate in their school and to take concrete actions throughout the process to improve respect for the ecology within their school. SEA also aims to provide a collegial, intelligent, coherent and thoughtful response to the massive youth uprising in favor of the climate. Our schools want to show that we have heard them ... and that we intend to answer them!