On December 15, 2023, the Educational and the European Projects teams of the HSPN enjoyed the most wonderful company. The Athens College Bodossaki Elementary School hosted the “Hands-on Labs” action within the framework of the European Project GenB. More than 300 students of the 1^st, 2^nd and 3^rd elementary classes participated in a series of experimental and artistic activities revolved around bioeconomy and the use of sustainable materials and energy.

Together with the children we met our little heroin, Rita, a 1^st elementary class student who loves nature, plants, animals, and fossils, and learns how to protect the environment by reducing her ecological footprint with small everyday actions.

Through an experiential process we learnt about natural dyes, and in particular how we can produce and use them to replace artificial paints, while painting a t-shirt using the tie-dye technique and natural pomegranate juice. We also watched a balloon fill up in real time, due to the production of biogas from the anaerobic fermentation process resulting from yeast and sugar added to a bottle full of lukewarm water. The children interacted with several bio-based products, produced from recycled and recyclable material, such as bioplastic containers, coffee-fiber paper, seedballs and seed paper, devices made of bamboo etc.

Of course, the Holiday spirit couldn’t be missing; with the use of paper from notebooks, books and magazines meant to be recycled, wooden beads and natural fiber yarn, we crafted little Christmas angels to decorate a Christmas tree, a house’s interior or a classroom.

This fascinating group of young students not only left a strong impression on us with their knowledge and respect for nature but also showcased their commitment through daily activities for environmental protection undertaken alongside their teachers.