Cultural Heritage and STEAM education – Erasmus+ group mobility in  Agrupamento de Escolas de Montemor-o Novo,  Portugal

On November 10-14, second-grade students of Palanga Old Gymnasium Emilija Lukauskytė, Aurūnė Kazakauskaitė, Laimis Antoščak, Nojus Zaleckas, Bernardas Palubinskis and Matas Lingaitis, accompanied by English teachers Aušrinė Janušienė and Audra Kaklienė, participated in the Erasmus+ project group student mobility activities in Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal. The aim of this project is to improve STEAM skills and develop general competences in cooperation with Portuguese students and teachers in an international educational environment.

At the same time, Aurūnė Kazakauskaitė, Laimis Antoščak, Nojus Zaleckas, Bernardas Palubinskis, and Matas Lingaitis, accompanied by English teachers Aušrinė Janušienė and Audra Kaklienė, took part in Erasmus+ project group student mobility activities in Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal. The aim of this project is to improve STEAM skills and develop general competencies by collaborating with Portuguese students and teachers in an international educational environment.

After a long flight, at 3 a.m., the project participants were welcomed by students, parents, and teachers from the Montemor-o-Novo school. The high school students reunited with their friends, whom they had warmly welcomed in Palanga in the spring.

After spending Sunday with Portuguese families, on Monday the students were greeted by the school’s principal, João Veiga, Erasmus+ project coordinator Emilia Cristina Mamede Isaias, Ana Palma, and the project’s participating students and teachers. The principal presented the Portuguese education system and the network of schools in the town. The students were welcomed by the school’s children’s ensemble, who performed songs and instrumental pieces.

The hosts organized a tour of two schools in the town. The high school students were impressed by the opportunity to engage in cycling, the tall climbing wall in the sports hall, and the spacious library. In the afternoon, Portuguese students had prepared a task called Peddy Paper, during which the students walked along designated streets and learned about the historical and cultural heritage of Montemor-o-Novo.

On the other project days, students attended classes and participated in various creative and educational activities. Watching animated films at the youth center and discussing them was a new experience, as the films were selected for teenagers from the 25th International Animated Film Festival, Festa Mundial da Animação.

November 11 is St. Martin’s Day in Portugal, marking the season of roasted chestnuts and new wine. Our high school students were invited to a celebration organized by the local primary school community, where the mothers of the students treated participants and guests to homemade cakes and roasted chestnuts.

At the Oficina da Rança children’s leisure center, students learned that local children spend their free time weaving, embroidering, sewing, felting, and drawing. They also took part in ceramics workshops and created original ceramic works using techniques demonstrated by the center’s staff. The students’ creativity even inspired the accompanying teachers to try the ceramic techniques themselves.

At school, the students engaged in STEAM activities. During one session, they programmed Lego robots that danced to music chosen by the students.

A creative writing workshop led by English and German teacher and writer João Luis Nabo, author of eight books about Montemor-o-Novo, inspired Erasmus project participants to create a short story about the town, based on the architectural and historical objects they saw.

The educational tour of the Melgão Cacau e Chocolates factory left a lasting impression on everyone. The journey of chocolate from fruit picking to delicious bars is a long and complex one. The students learned about the production equipment and process and tasted various flavors of premium chocolate, which can only be purchased at this factory.

During the field trips, the students, together with Portuguese students and teachers, visited Évora — a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the future European Capital of Culture in 2027 — and Lisbon, the capital of Portugal. With a guide, they learned about the history of Évora, the devastating earthquake of 1755, and admired the 2nd-century Roman temple dedicated to the moon goddess Diana, the magnificent cathedral, the country’s second oldest university, the museum, and the city’s famous chapel, Capela dos Ossos, decorated with human bones. Although Lisbon greeted them with rain, the city charmed everyone with its rich architecture, history, narrow streets, and hilly terrain. The students also found it interesting to compare the development of democracy in Lithuania and Portugal.

Life with Portuguese families was full of surprises due to cultural differences and provided invaluable experience. Everyone enjoyed traditional Portuguese food, such as bifanas and empadas de frango, but the famous pastel de nata won everyone’s hearts. The hosts showed special care by inviting the students to family celebrations and arranging free-time activities to help them learn as much as possible about the country’s traditions and customs.

However, travel always brings unexpected events. On the way back to Palanga, after flying from Lisbon to Amsterdam and while waiting for their connecting flight, the airline announced that due to a bird strike, the flight to Palanga was canceled and postponed for an entire day. Passengers were informed that they would only be able to fly to Palanga late the next evening, via Riga. Due to this unexpected situation, the Erasmus participants had the chance to visit Amsterdam. Thus, an initially frightening and confusing airport experience turned into an exciting adventure — in one week, the students visited three European capitals: Lisbon, Amsterdam, and Riga.

The objectives of the Erasmus project have been achieved. All participants in this mobility program are delighted with the experience they gained, their improved self-esteem and confidence, their enhanced communication and cooperation skills, their strengthened English and STEAM abilities, and the friendships they formed.

Here are a few excerpts from the students’ reflections on the Erasmus project:

Matas: “I started speaking English better and learned about Portuguese traditions. Amsterdam is an interesting city with its own unique style.”

Emilija: “I was most impressed by the chocolate factory because we saw how chocolate is made and were able to taste it. I improved my English skills and learned more about Portuguese culture. I encountered some communication challenges, but the interpreter helped me. The unexpected visit to Amsterdam left a very cozy and pleasant impression.”

Nojus: “I liked the trip to Montemor-o-Novo Castle the most because it offers a wonderful view. During the project, I learned more about Portugal. Although it rained a lot, it was still fun. Amsterdam is a very beautiful city. It was great fun to ride a train for the first time.”

Bernardas: “I enjoyed spending time with my Portuguese friends the most. I learned a lot about the history and traditions of the city and of Portugal. It rained a lot during our visit, but that didn’t stop us. With umbrellas and good spirits, we explored as if it weren’t raining. The unexpected visit to Amsterdam was very beautiful and interesting.”

Aurūnė: “The trip to Lisbon made the biggest impression on me because we saw the unique old town and the beautiful coastline. I improved my English skills, experienced everyday Portuguese life, tried traditional food, and learned some Portuguese words. Amsterdam is a beautiful city with amazing architecture.”

Laimis: “I enjoyed dinner with the whole Erasmus group because the atmosphere was special, and it was nice to share such a moment. I was very impressed by the beautiful architecture and views of Lisbon. It was also interesting to see the capital of the Netherlands. Although the visit was unexpected, it was quite fun.”

Erasmus mobility in Portugal .pptx

English teachers A. Kaklienė and A. Janušienė

This project is funded by the European Union. The views expressed are solely those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.”