‘Academia Micilor Ecologisti’: educational program powered by TenarisSilcotub and Clujul Sustenabil

In the era of climate change and environmental challenges, it is increasingly important to educate new generations about the importance of environmental protection and sustainability. Therefore, Academia Micilor Ecologiști was created as an educational program specifically designed for 6th-grade students. The aim of this program is to help young people become aware of the importance of protecting the environment and to teach them sustainable practices.

Academia Micilor Ecologiști is a successful collaboration between TenarisSilcotub, Asociația Clujul Sustenabil, and Earthrise, an educational hub in Cluj-Napoca, with distinct but complementary missions in promoting sustainability and environmental education.

TenarisSilcotub is an industrial pipe manufacturing company with a team of over 1800 people, strongly committed to environmental protection and sustainability. Asociația Clujul Sustenabil supports economic, social, and environmental initiatives for sustainable urban development in Cluj, while Earthrise Hub has the mission of forming a sustainable community through the active involvement of young people in solving social and environmental problems.

To provide a quality educational experience, workshops were organized in the two TenarisSilcotub communities: Zalău and Călărași. Over 600 students from “Mihai Eminescu” and “Simion Barnuțiu” secondary schools in Zalău, as well as “Mircea Vodă”, “Mihai Viteazul”, and “Tudor Vladimirescu” in Călărași, participated in these workshops.

The first workshop focused on recycling materials, specifically turning plastic lids into Christmas tree decorations. This workshop highlighted that recycling should be the last resort, and the focus should be on reducing consumption and using materials responsibly. Recycling is an essential component of the circular economy and helps protect natural resources. Students learned to recognize different types of plastic and manage waste properly. Additionally, they were encouraged to reduce plastic consumption by adopting sustainable options such as using reusable bags and water bottles.

In the second workshop, the young environmentalists contributed to the paper recycling process and understood the importance of tree conservation and responsible consumption. The activity involved creating greeting cards for mothers using recycled paper and seeds. By participating in this workshop, students became aware of the environmental costs involved in paper production, such as deforestation, water use, energy consumption, and the use of paints.

Faced with the climate emergency, everyone needs to understand the basics of climate change. Therefore, the last workshop was dedicated to implementing a game called “Climate Fresk.” Through this game, there were talks on sustainable choices that individuals, companies, communities, or schools can make. This moment served as a synthesis of the knowledge gained in the first edition of Academia Micilor Ecologiști, creating a fresco illustrating climate change.

The children enthusiastically and joyfully welcomed the workshops held during the Academy and were impressed by the practical and educational experiences offered. Through Academia Micilor Ecologiști, TenarisSilcotub, Asociația Clujul Sustenabil, and Earthrise have laid the foundations for sustainable collaboration and positive change in local communities. Environmental education plays an important role in combating climate change and promoting sustainability.