Activities with schools
Activities carried out together with schools begun during the 2014-2015 school-year, they continued in 2015-2016 with the test of the GIOCONDA Platform, and in 2016-2017 with the Platform use and implementation. Girls and boys have been actively involved in discussions concerning environmental health issues that affect their cities, in environmental monitoring of air quality and noise conducted by experts, and in their own risk perception measurement through questionnaires.
The pace was set by eight schools that joined the first part of GIOCONDA project during the 2014/15 school year, two from each area: Ravenna, Lower Valdarno (San Miniato), Taranto and Naples.
During a series of meetings held in class, the topic of environment and health was discussed from a scientific and social point of view
scientific: throughout the school year students had the opportunity to understand and participate in monitoring air and noise quality in their classrooms and in the areas surrounding their schools. Health issues were addressed in specific meetings with experts. Having the GIOCONDA Platform available, students have now the possibility to examine the available public data on environmental pollution and health. A dedicated environmental monitoring campaign is also possible, if the Institution in charge accepts to perform it, or further resources are available.
social: girls and boys are also part of a research about the concept of risk, their own risk perception, and their “willingness to pay” for improving their environment and health. At the same time, they have the opportunity to reflect on the results of environmental monitoring and on the results of what they themselves expressed, with the help of environmental experts, health professionals and sociologists. After a process of elaboration, they were able to transform these results into recommendations, that were sent to local administrators of the areas where they live.
During the second school year (2015/2016), the students presented their findings and recommendations to the local administrators in public events.