Educational visit to the Bank of Greece museum: A special experience for the environment and climate change

13/4/2022-Educational visit to the Museum of the Bank of Greece: A unique experience on the environment and climate change

On Wednesday 13/4/2022, within the framework of the innovative action "Art and Education" and the course "General and Evolutionary Psychology" an educational visit to the museum of the Bank of Greece was made in the company of Dr. D. Makri, in order for students to become familiar with the operation of a museum and its connection to the educational process and to gain experience on the organization of educational visits within the framework of the educational process.

The students of the Teacher Education Program visited the temporary exhibition "Economy and Climate: Handle with Care", toured a specially formed area of the museum reminiscent of a DNA strand and were informed about the last two years’ research carried out by the Bank of Greece and scientists from all over the world on the two-way relationship between climate change and the economy.

The tour included the projection of audiovisual material on digital media, such as the real-time presentation of the burnt areas worldwide, the percentages of oxygen, monoxide and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by NASA, as well as the greenhouse gas prediction models for the next 100 years. The connection between science and art was interesting through the relevant photographic material that aimed to sensitize students as well as  and the construction of a model that captured three different city scenarios depending on the mobilization of people regarding climate change.

During their visit, the students of the program had the opportunity to hear about the environmentally friendly measures taken by the Bank of Greece and its commitment to a better tomorrow regarding the environment. Finally, the students, divided into two groups, participated in a puzzle game and used the 'Handle with Care' app, a 3D green investment game. Before their departure, students received souvenirs, among which was a collectible coin inspired by the exhibition and the comic "The Great Transformation: Climate – Can we change course?"

The educational visit aimed to enhance environmental awareness which could lead to a collective green development. The students showed concern about the state of the environment and the climate, expressed feelings, which were negative at first due to the severity of the problem, but ended up positive with a dose of hope and optimism.

The aim of the Teacher Education Science Program is for prospective teachers to realize that teaching is not a matter of "applying recipes" but a creative process, synthesis of science, art and technique where the teacher can plan experiential activities, which promote the revision of the way of thinking and the practices applied in teaching a subject.