How-to Guide on developing green skills​

The purpose of creating a digital herbarium is to show, through a practical activity, the possibilities of learning in nature and upgrading acquired knowledge in some digital (STEM or IT) form. For teachers, through this form of work, a whole series of creative challenges to modernize teaching is offered, and we believe that sometimes it is nicer for teachers to learn in the open air than in a stuffy classroom. Creating a herbarium can bring plants even closer to children and stimulate their interest in nature, as it has been shown that they are often unaware of their natural environment. Children acquire knowledge about the names of plants, their use, their meaning for life on Earth. By observing plants in their environment and noticing similarities and differences, children are encouraged to connect plant adaptations with the habitat where the plant grows, by comparing climatic conditions, seasons with growth and cycles in the plant world, they become aware of the diversity of the living world.

Our objective is to nurture European citizens who understand global environmental issues. We want them not just to recognize these challenges, but also understand how they can help solve these problems and actively work towards being more eco-friendly in their lives!

Before going on a trip, at a meeting at school or society, kindergarten, when the details of
the trip are agreed upon, the children should be introduced to the nature of the trip. It is
good for teachers/educators to briefly explain to them the goals and the result that is being
aimed for at individual points as the work unfolds.
The goal is for the children to take photos of the plants they find in their natural habitat with
their smartphones. It is very important for teachers to gain experience in when and to what
extent to intervene, without disturbing the independent work of children/students. In
principle, children should choose the recording objects (plants) themselves, but sometimes
the teacher will have to intervene because otherwise an important plant will be missing in
the herbarium.

By photographing plants, along with photography techniques, students should develop observation and observation skills that form the basis for the development of skills that enable a naturalistic view of the world. This way of encouraging students to start noticing the plant world around them is a more modern form of acquiring knowledge where the student acquires knowledge in direct contact with nature, while developing creativity, a better attitude towards nature and the environment in which he lives, persistence and systematic work, cooperation with others , more permanent knowledge. . . The selection of photos is a crucial part of creating a herbarium and introducing the scientific methods of working on specific projects. Each child will try to photograph everything, therefore, before leaving for the trip, it should be agreed and shared which motifs each group of students will photograph. Some can take photos of flowers, others of fruits, others of plants (leaves), and the fourth group of grasses and plants in the meadows… This way, the collected material will be easier to sort, select, and study. When choosing photos to be included in the collection, it is important that the tree, leaf and flower (if the plant has one) are clearly visible.
After returning from the trip, it is necessary to gather a team of children who will meet at the school/club. The choice of children should be in agreement with them. At the same time, it is not necessary that they are only children who possess strong digital competences. Namely, creating a digital herbarium should be a fun activity for everyone that will motivate them for further trips and mutual cooperation. Their attention should be directed to photos that clearly show the whole plant or the desired part of the plant.
The purpose of creating a digital herbarium is to show, through a practical activity, the possibilities of learning in nature and upgrading acquired knowledge in some digital (STEM or IT) form. For teachers, through this form of work, a whole series of creative challenges to modernize teaching is offered, and we believe that sometimes it is nicer for teachers to learn in the open air than in a stuffy classroom. Creating a herbarium can bring plants even closer to children and stimulate their interest in nature, as it has been shown that they are often unaware of their natural environment. Children acquire knowledge about the names of plants, their use, their meaning for life on Earth. By observing plants in their environment and noticing similarities and differences, children are encouraged to connect plant adaptations with the habitat where the plant grows, by comparing climatic conditions, seasons with growth and cycles in the plant world, they become aware of the diversity of the living world.

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