The Environmental Education Through Football workshop was a non-formal, sport-based learning activity implemented in Thessaloniki, Greece, as part of the STELLA project. The event used football as a familiar and motivating medium to raise awareness about water consumption and waste, while promoting environmental responsibility, teamwork, and critical thinking. By combining physical activity with experiential learning, the workshop offered participants an engaging way to reflect on sustainability issues through direct action and play.
Objectives:
- To raise awareness about water consumption and waste
- To promote environmental education through non-formal learning methods
- Integrate Physical Activity with Learning
- Enhance Teamwork and Collaboration
- Stimulate Critical Thinking
Desired outcomes:
- Increased awareness of water conservation
- Stronger understanding of environmental responsibility
- Improved engagement and motivation
- Enhanced teamwork and communication skills
Description and Implementation:
The main activity was a football game with a creative twist. Participants played a regular match, but each person was holding a cup filled with water while playing. At first, the focus was on the game itself, teamwork, movement, and fun. However, as the activity progressed, participants became more aware of how easily water could be spilled or wasted, even during simple and enjoyable actions.
At the end of the game, participants were asked to collect the remaining water in their cups and reflect on the experience. This led to an open discussion about water consumption, waste, and the importance of protecting natural resources.
No adaptations were needed. We followed the same rules applied during the Training of Trainers.
Feedback:
- The activity was described as fun(even though there were some complaints about the hot weather), engaging, and easy to understand.
- Participants said the water cup exercise clearly showed how easily water is wasted.
- The use of football made the learning process more motivating and memorable.
- The final discussion helped link the game to real-life water consumption habits.
- Participants felt more aware and responsible about water use after the activity.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
The Environmental Education Through Football workshop successfully demonstrated how simple, sport-based activities can effectively communicate important environmental messages. Participants showed increased awareness of water conservation and actively engaged in reflection linking the game experience to real-life behaviors. The activity provided valuable insights for the wider STELLA project, highlighting the importance of clear communication, inclusive planning, and safe conditions when implementing physically demanding activities. Overall, the workshop confirmed that non-formal, experience-based learning can create meaningful and memorable sustainability education experiences.