Sustainability in Education

This 6-day hands-on course equips educators to empower young learners with the skills and knowledge to address global challenges through Sustainable Development Goal (SDG)-aligned solutions. Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of the SDGs and their significance, both locally and globally, while learning how to translate these goals into relevant, impactful classroom projects.

Through interactive sessions, participants will explore creative and critical thinking methodologies, hands-on activities, and Fab Lab projects that emphasize social, cultural, and local impacts. Engage in design thinking exercises to craft meaningful projects for classroom use and foster community-driven innovation.

Interactive sessions will focus on creative and critical thinking, design thinking methodologies, and hands-on projects with social, cultural, and local relevance. Participants will engage in Fab Lab activities to create innovative tools and co-design adaptable curricula which will be useful to them once they return back home.

By the end of the course, attendees will share their projects on a collaborative open-access platform, fostering a community of educators united in driving sustainable change.

• Understand the SDGs and Their Relevance:

Develop a comprehensive understanding of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), their targets, and their implications for local and global communities.

• Connect Global Challenges to Local Contexts:

Learn how to translate global challenges into actionable and contextually relevant educational content that resonates with young learners.

• Apply Design Thinking in Education:

Master the use of design thinking methodologies to create innovative, student-centered projects that address real-world challenges.

• Incorporate Hands-On Learning Approaches:

Develop and implement hands-on, SDG-aligned projects that integrate social, cultural, and local impacts for a deeper learning experience.

• Foster Creative and Critical Thinking Skills:

Enhance students’ ability to think critically and creatively about complex global issues through interactive and engaging teaching strategies.

• Collaborate in Curriculum Co-Design:

Co-create a curriculum tailored to empower youth in developing planet-centered solutions, emphasizing open collaboration and knowledge sharing.

• Leverage Fab Lab Resources for Education:

Utilize Fab Lab tools (3d printers, lasercutters, electronics, CNC etc) and resources to design ornaments and other creative outputs that bring SDG-related concepts to life in the classroom.

This workshop is highly experiential and participative. It consists of short theoretical inputs, concrete exercises, and group discussions. Reflecting upon and applying each tool to your real-life cases from your everyday work, you will practise and gain new insights into your current dilemmas.

Duration:    6 days

Dates:         Upon request

Location:    Chania- Crete, Greece

This course is perfect for educators of all fields and levels, passionate about nurturing a generation of socially conscious and planet-centered problem solvers.

Olivia Kotsifa is a designer with 13 years of experience in developing and teaching educational content related to STEAM. She is a former academic in the fields of art design and making at Cardiff Metropolitan University. She has shared her expertise in design and making with audiences of all ages, including university students, schoolchildren, educators, researchers, and parents. Her work has gained international recognition, and she was invited as a guest speaker at the United Nations for three years to discuss the importance of integrating the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into early childhood education and their application in educational projects within Fab Labs, a global network of digital fabrication and design workshops. Additionally, she serves as a consultant for establishing educational Fab Labs, contributing to their development both in Greece and internationally.

SYN FAB LAB is a mobile digital fabrication Lab and it is part of the global Fab Lab network of 2500 Land worldwide. The Lab shares skills and knowledge in design and new technologies with local communities across Greece. Its approach is rooted in the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 21st-century skills, emphasizing learning by doing, constructionism in education, and creative thinking.

The result is innovative projects that combine design with digital fabrication (machines that operate via computer commands such as 3D printing, laser cutters for wood, acrylic, cork, etc., vinyl, fabric, and paper cutters, 3D scanners, mold-making machines, and more), programming, and electronics.

Dr. Markos Perrakis is a leadership development & process facilitator, psychologist, speaker, consultant and trainer of individuals and teams, founder and Managing Director of the EU Adult training & Counseling Provider Fractality. He designs and implements EU projects in the fields of leadership development and strategic planning, and uses eclectic appreciative approaches in the public and private sector in order to promote effective communication, individual and collective process development. He specializes in coaching, supervision, human capital development, training and assessments. He holds a Ph.D. in Leadership Styles and their efficiency in organisations with publications in the fields of organizational psychology and counseling and a M.A. in clinical Psychology. He is trained in Systemic Consultation, solution focused & cognitive behavioural approaches, methods of participatory design, Spiritual Intelligence, a certified provider of Vocational Guidance and Professional Orientation, utilizing psychometric assessments and coaching tools for teams and individuals in organizational, career and personality issues and ISO 9001 Lead Auditor.  He is representative of the Association of International Institution Supervision in Europe (ANSE), Member of International Intervision Groups, Scientific Assistant of SOL (Society of Organisational Learning), Scientific partner of the European Union of Small and Medium Enterprises (EUMU) in Greece, in the fields of Strategic Planning and Human Capital Development programmes.

Dr. Perrakis is one of the first persons in Greece who applied the methodology of Appreciative Inquiry, which is used in the UN Summit by UN leaders. In contrast to the traditional management approaches that focus on problems, the appreciative approach makes use of the potential of the human capital of organizations

Our program takes place in the Island of Crete, one of the most exotic destinations of the Aegean Sea in Greece. The workshop and the accommodation is at the unique 5-star village resort of Porto Platanias in Chania that provides you with safe and luxurious accommodations. It is the perfect place to combine personal growth with holidays.

This Mediterranean destination embraces both sea and charming nature. Porto Platanias Village is located within walking distance from the beach and the village of Platanias. Local taverns, Greek eateries, and arts shops draw people from all around the world and contribute to the vibrant feeling of the Cretan summer, still offering 30°C (86°F) daytime temperatures and 25°C (77°F) warm sea to enjoy in September. For more information on the venue, visit: http://www.portoplataniasvillage.gr Closest international airports: Chania (24 km); Heraklion (165 km)

Additional option:

• A half-day excursion with the group led by locals – €50

Questions or concerns? please contact us at [email protected] or call +302106010522.
Cancellation Policy*

Until 30 days before the starting date of the selected workshop, cancellation will be free of charge and the pre-payment will be fully refunded. Between 30 to 15 days before the starting date of the workshop, 50% of the fee will be refunded. Within the 15 days before the starting date of the workshop no refunds will be made.