RESPONSIBLE Partners Explore Sustainability, STEAM and Outdoor Learning in Iceland
Updated: 4 days ago
24 – 26 August 2026 | Reykjanesbær, Iceland
From 24 to 26 August 2026, partners from six European countries gathered in Iceland for the second Transnational Partner Meeting (TPM2) of the Erasmus+ RESPONSIBLE project. Hosted by GeoCamp Iceland in Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, the three-day meeting combined project development, educational visits and hands-on experiences exploring sustainability, renewable energy and innovative teaching approaches.
Representatives from France, Türkiye, Romania, Norway, Croatia and Iceland came together to review project progress, exchange educational practices and prepare for the next stages of their shared mission: inspiring young people to reduce waste, reuse resources and take responsibility for a more sustainable future.
Bringing Sustainability Education to Life
The meeting began at the Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark office, where partners reviewed progress across the project’s main activities, including the development of the RESPONSIBLE Sustainability Curriculum, creative approaches to waste reduction and the production of environmentally friendly paints from biowaste.
A central theme throughout the discussions was the importance of connecting sustainability education with practical experiences. Rather than simply teaching students about environmental challenges, RESPONSIBLE aims to provide opportunities for young people to investigate problems, experiment with materials, develop creative solutions and understand how their everyday choices can contribute to a more sustainable society.
The Icelandic programme offered several examples of how this approach can be integrated into education.
STEAM Education: Learning Through Creativity and Exploration
One of the highlights of the first day was a visit to Háaleitisskóli primary school, where participants were introduced to the school’s innovative STEAM classroom by teacher Drífa Thorstensen.
The visit demonstrated how Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics can be brought together through creative, interdisciplinary learning.
Partners explored how practical experimentation, problem-solving and student-led investigations can make complex environmental topics more accessible and engaging.
The experience was particularly relevant to the development of the RESPONSIBLE Sustainability Curriculum, which seeks to encourage active learning and provide teachers with practical approaches to sustainability education.
By combining scientific understanding with creativity, students can become active participants in finding solutions to environmental challenges.
Iceland’s Volcanic Landscapes as an Outdoor Classroom
The programme continued with an educational field visit through Reykjanes UNESCO Global Geopark, where participants explored Iceland’s remarkable volcanic landscapes.
The Reykjanes Peninsula provides a unique setting for environmental education, where geological processes, natural resources and human interaction with the environment can be observed directly.
Through discussions and field-based experiences, partners considered how outdoor learning can strengthen students’ understanding of geography, geology, climate change and sustainability.
The visit also highlighted the importance of place-based education: using local landscapes, communities and environmental challenges as resources for meaningful learning.
Although the natural environments of the six partner countries differ considerably, the educational principles are highly transferable. Every region has its own landscapes, resources and environmental challenges that can become valuable learning opportunities.
Exploring Renewable Energy and Sustainable Innovation
The second day brought partners to two important educational sites in southwest Iceland, demonstrating how renewable energy and sustainability can be explored through real-world examples.
At Hellisheiði Geothermal Power Plant, participants learned about Iceland’s use of geothermal resources and the role of renewable energy in modern society.
The visit provided opportunities to discuss responsible resource management, energy production and the relationship between natural systems and human activities.
The programme continued at Elliðaárvirkjun Power Plant and STEAM Centre in Reykjavík, where participants explored further connections between energy, science, technology and education.
These visits demonstrated how real-world infrastructure and environmental technologies can support interdisciplinary teaching. For the RESPONSIBLE partnership, the experiences reinforced the importance of helping students understand sustainability not only as an environmental concept but also as something connected to technology, innovation, resource management and everyday life.
From Waste to Resources: Developing the RESPONSIBLE Curriculum
Alongside the educational visits, partners dedicated considerable time to reviewing the project’s progress and planning upcoming activities.
One of the central objectives of RESPONSIBLE is the development of a Sustainability Curriculum that helps teachers integrate environmental awareness, waste reduction and responsible consumption into their educational activities.
The curriculum is closely connected to practical workshops in which students explore how discarded materials can be transformed into useful and creative products.
Through activities involving paper, plastic, packaging, textiles and other materials, students are encouraged to reconsider the meaning of waste and discover the possibilities of reuse.
Another important component of the project is the development of organic paints and dyes from biowaste. By investigating natural pigments and environmentally responsible alternatives to conventional art materials, the partnership aims to combine scientific investigation, creativity and circular-economy principles.
During the Iceland meeting, partners reviewed the progress of these activities, discussed scientific and technical considerations and coordinated responsibilities for the next implementation period.
The discussions emphasised that the project’s educational resources should be continuously improved through practical classroom experiences, student participation and feedback from teachers.
Strengthening European Cooperation
The final day of the meeting focused on consolidating the results of the Icelandic programme and preparing for the next stages of RESPONSIBLE.
Partners discussed upcoming international learning activities, continued curriculum development, the organic-paint research process and opportunities to share project results with schools and local communities.
An important outcome of the meeting was the recognition that sustainability education benefits greatly from international cooperation.
By bringing together teachers and educational organisations from different countries, RESPONSIBLE creates opportunities to exchange ideas, compare approaches and develop educational resources that can be adapted to different school systems and local environments.
The experiences in Iceland demonstrated how sustainability can be approached through a combination of science, creativity, outdoor education and practical investigation.
Looking Ahead: Turning Knowledge into Action
Following the meeting in Iceland, the RESPONSIBLE partnership will continue developing and testing educational activities, preparing further international learning experiences and advancing its work on transforming waste into valuable resources.
The next project activities will provide additional opportunities for students and teachers to work together on creative waste-reduction solutions and apply the principles of the circular economy.
The knowledge and experiences gained during the Icelandic meeting will contribute to the continued development of the RESPONSIBLE Sustainability Curriculum and support the integration of practical sustainability education into schools across the partnership.
A Shared Responsibility for a Sustainable Future
The three days in Iceland demonstrated that meaningful environmental education extends far beyond textbooks and classrooms. Whether exploring volcanic landscapes, investigating renewable energy, experimenting with recycled materials or developing creative solutions to waste, students learn most effectively when they can connect knowledge with real-world experiences.
The RESPONSIBLE project is built on a simple but powerful idea: waste can become a resource, and education can become a driving force for positive environmental change.
The Iceland meeting strengthened the partnership’s shared commitment to helping young Europeans develop the knowledge, creativity and responsibility needed to build a more sustainable future.
A special thank you to GeoCamp Iceland for hosting the meeting and to all participating partners for their contributions, enthusiasm and continued commitment to the RESPONSIBLE project.
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