Four schools from Tyrol got a first taste of the project on Monday at the University of Innsbruck. The aim of the K.i.d.Z 21 project is to give pupils the chance to engage with climate change and develop strategies for what they themselves can actively do about it. Alongside workshops and expert talks for pupils, the project also includes continuing professional development for teachers.

During a trip to the high mountains in summer, pupils can then do their own research into climate change. First-hand experiences encourage reflection — changes brought about by climate change that pupils experience themselves leave a lasting impression. One group, for instance, came up with the idea of marking the edge of the glacier as part of the project. This is now being done for the fourth time.

"The pupils are shocked every year when they say, my God, that's where our friends were standing last year, and now we have to walk another 19 metres before we even reach the glacier tongue", says Lars Keller, a geographer at the University of Innsbruck.

At Monday's event, Tyrolean initiatives tackling climate change also introduced themselves to the four school classes from Kematen, Kufstein and Innsbruck. The aim is to make pupils aware that every individual can make a contribution.

Read the full article as well as a further report from the Tiroler Tageszeitung online on our <link internal-link internal link in current>press page.

Detailed information about the k.i.d.Z.21-Austria project can be found at <link http: kidz.ccca.ac.at external-link-new-window external link in new>kidz.ccca.ac.at.