INTRODUCTION AND PREPARATION

Since 1996 the Realschule in Ludwigshafen-Mundenheim, Novaskolan in Kalmar, Sweden and the Kirkonmäki Junior Comprehensive School in Keminmaa, Finland has taken part in the European Union's Comenius project. Realschule-Mundenhaim and Kirkonmäki school suggested the same idea about some projects concerning about the river and the sea. Both schools are situated by the river and furthermore Keminmaa near the Gulf of Bothnia.

How did the project itself begin and what concrete plans were available ?

In June 1996, Doris Sarre, Tuulikki Heinonen and Mervi Hopia-Jaakkola from Keminmaa; Oili Karlsson, Ulf Stark and Jan Olof Åberg from Kalmar; and Christine Hewer, Christine Schroth, Dagmar Scheller and Dr. Edgar Wagner met in Sweden to prepare the project. Together the aims and the methods of action were discussed and a schedule was planned.

The first preparation meeting was in Gubbsmåla in  Sweden. (from left: Dagmar Scheller, Christine Schroth, Edgar Wagner, Mervi Hopia- Jaakkola, Doris Sarre, Tuulikki Heinonen and Christine Hewer took the photo)	We were guests in Nova Skolan in Kalmar. Edgar took this picture in the Garden near the Castle (Kalmar Slottet).

Long before beginning the project, the future partners had already decided to undertake the first joint project: "Life and work by the river or by the sea - geographical, historical and economical aspects".
The pupils prepare posters about different themes, which are sent to the partnerschools. Pupils represented themselves, made videos about the school and the living environment.  

The visit during the project

During a study visit in December 1996 in Keminmaa, Christine Hewer und Dr. Edgar Wagner and the swedish colleagues gained an insight into the conrete project work. In the remaining time the intensive contact involved letters, faxes, e-mails and numerous telephone calls.

Before the actual work began, every pupil made up a small packer with the names, pictures and personal descriptions of the pupils who were participating in the project. To do this, all three schools needed a lot of time - this was ready before the autumn holidays in 1996 and we could make copies and send them to the partners. Then the actual work began, namely to make up a themed exhibition considering the geographical, historical and economical aspects. The pupils collected information from the different national sources. Also helpful parents gave us written information.