Smart Up and Step Up! Erasmus +

In November 2023 the last planned meeting within the Erasmus+ Smart Up 
and Step Up project took place. Project partners visited Omer Kanaatbilen
Secondary School in Adana, Turkey. Before taking part in this meeting, 
each school organized classes on a healthy lifestyle, healthy eating and
sports activities encouraging physical activity. The results of all 
actions taken were presented at the meeting. During the meeting, teachers
from Turkey, Romania and Poland exchanged experiences and observations 
on promoting physical activity as an alternative to social media. 
They also discussed ways of implementing the project method during lessons.
The focus was also on teaching methods emphasizing the key role of 
physical activity in life and developing healthy eating and sports habits.
During interactive workshops with experts, participants learned how to 
effectively promote a healthy and active lifestyle. The focus was also 
on the use of ICT tools during classes.

Partners from Romania, Poland and Turkey worked together on the final 
version of a guide for teachers containing lesson plans about the 
benefits of physical activity and a balanced diet. Teachers exchanged 
examples of good practices and ideas and agreed on how project ideas
would be continued after the end of the project.
During the last day of the meeting, all project activities and their 
impact on partner schools and local communities were discussed.

The main goals of the meeting in Adana:
-raising awareness of the importance of practicing sports regularly;
-promoting safe and sensible sports practice as a way to improve 
self-esteem and motivation;
- analysis of different types of sports, taking into account positive 
and negative aspects
- developing interpersonal communication skills in international 
environments
- promoting an attitude of tolerance and openness
- developing an international network of active creators of materials 
related to the topic from various European countries
- developing a network of responsible teachers who will promote 
reasonable sports practice in the teaching process

All the above-mentioned goals were achieved thanks to a well-planned 
meeting program and effective cooperation of partners.

Engaging in sports can have a profound impact on teenagers' lives in various ways. Here are several ways in which participating in sports can bring about positive changes:

1. Physical health: Regular participation in sports helps teenagers improve their physical fitness, develop strength, endurance, flexibility, and coordination. It reduces the risk of obesity, promotes cardiovascular health, and strengthens bones and muscles. By adopting an active lifestyle, teenagers can enhance their overall well-being and reduce the likelihood of developing health issues later in life.

2. Mental well-being: Sports can significantly contribute to teenagers' mental health. Physical activity stimulates the release of endorphins, which are natural mood boosters. Regular exercise can alleviate symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. It provides an outlet for emotional expression, improves self-esteem, and fosters a positive body image. Additionally, participating in team sports can enhance social connections, reduce feelings of isolation, and promote a sense of belonging.

3. Discipline and time management: Sports require commitment, dedication, and adherence to a schedule. Teenagers who participate in sports learn valuable life skills such as discipline, punctuality, and time management. They develop the ability to balance academics, sports, and other responsibilities effectively. These skills can translate into other areas of their lives, including academics, career pursuits, and personal relationships.

4. Goal setting and motivation: Sports provide a platform for teenagers to set goals and work towards achieving them. Whether it's improving personal performance, winning a competition, or mastering a specific skill, sports offer tangible targets for growth and improvement. The process of setting goals, formulating strategies, and persisting through challenges in sports can instill a sense of motivation and determination that can positively influence other aspects of their lives.

5. Teamwork and collaboration: Many sports involve working as part of a team, requiring teenagers to collaborate, communicate, and cooperate with others towards a common objective. By participating in team sports, teenagers develop important interpersonal skills, including teamwork, leadership, and effective communication. These skills are transferable to academic group projects, professional environments, and social relationships.

6. Character development: Sports can contribute to the development of various positive character traits in teenagers. They learn the values of sportsmanship, fair play, and respect for rules and authority. Through sports, teenagers can develop resilience, perseverance, and the ability to cope with both success and failure. Sports provide opportunities for learning from mistakes, accepting feedback, and demonstrating integrity and honesty.

7. Healthy habits and lifestyle choices: Engaging in sports at a young age can lay the foundation for a lifetime of healthy habits. Teenagers who participate in sports are more likely to make healthier lifestyle choices, including better nutrition, avoiding harmful substances, and prioritizing sleep. These habits can have long-term benefits for their physical and mental well-being.

It's important to note that the positive impacts of sports on teenagers' lives can vary depending on individual circumstances, personal preferences, and the supportive environment surrounding them. Nevertheless, sports can be a powerful tool for personal growth, social development, and overall well-being during the teenage years and beyond.

From the 28^th of May 2023 to the 2^nd of June 2023 10 students and 3 teachers from Zespół Szkolno - Przedszkolny nr 1 w Rędzinach took part in the second mobility planned as a part of the Erasmus+ Smart Up and Step Up! project. It was the first real meeting of students, as the first mobility was carried out online. All activities undertaken during this meeting were organized and planned in such a way as to correspond to the assumptions and objectives of the project.

The mobility started with a meeting of all partners in the host school - Scoala Gimnaziala Ioan Badescu. During the meeting, students presented previously prepared presentations about their countries, cities and schools. Our partners

from Turkey and Romania found out where Poland is located, what is its capital and what the largest Polish cities are. The knowledge gained by the students was tested during a quiz prepared in the Kahoot application. The students also learned about the education systems and physical education classes in the partner countries. Then the hosts showed us around their school and invited us to decorate a wall dedicated to the project.

As part of getting acquainted with Romanian culture and history, the hosts organized trips to places important from the point of view of Romanian history and culture. We visited the parliament and Peles Castle. The students had the opportunity to see Bucharest and Sinaia. They also had the opportunity to try traditional Romanian food prepared by the students' parents. It familiarized students and teachers from Poland and Turkey with the history of Romania and created an attitude of openness and tolerance towards other cultures. Trips to places important in Romanian culture and history showed all the partners that despite our differences, we also have many similar traditions. They made all the mobility participants aware that thanks to diversity we are able to learn from each other, exchange ideas and experiences.

Trips to places important from the point of view of history 
were interspersed with sports activities. The students visited 
Therme Aquapark, where they could take advantage of various 
water attractions, visited the rope park in the Comana Park 
and went for a mountain walk, which culminated in a beautiful
view of the waterfall. On the last day of the mobility, all 
participants received certificates of participation and completed
an evaluation questionnaire.

During their stay in Romania, the teachers updated the 
TwinSpace of the project, discussed the new ESEP Platform 
and the final results of the project. The Polish partner showed 
partners from Turkey and Romania how to create pages and
subpages on the TwinSpace, use the iframe tool, how to place 
photos and links on individual pages, how to add materials. 
As a result of these meetings, all partners learned how to put 
prepared materials on the TwinSpace and how to use ESEP 
for work. The partners also discussed the final result of the 
project - a guide for teachers.

There are many benefits to engaging in regular physical activity and sports. Here are some reasons why you should consider doing sport:

1. Improved physical health: Regular exercise through sports can help improve your health, increase muscle strength and endurance, maintain a healthy weight, and reduce the risk of chronic diseases such as diabetes and heart disease.
2. Mental health benefits: Exercise has been shown to help reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood, and boost self-esteem and confidence.
3. Social benefits: Sports provide opportunities to meet new people, make friends, and develop teamwork and leadership skills.
4. Personal growth: Through sports, you can set and achieve personal goals, learn new skills, and challenge yourself both physically and mentally.
5. Fun and enjoyment: Engaging in sports can be a fun and enjoyable way to stay active, try new things, and have a good time with friends and family.

Overall, regular physical activity through sports can have a positive impact on your physical, mental, and social well-being, and contribute to a healthier and happier lifestyle.

Our students prepared posters and to encourage everyone to do sport regularly. Have a look!

Eat healthily, live healthily!

Doing sports improves your health in many ways. It keeps you in shape and healthy. You should also remember about your diet. It should be balanced and it ought to be full of fruit and vegetables. When engaging in sports for the first time, you may feel hungrier than usual. This is normal, because your body needs much more energy than it used to. That is why it is so important to remember about a healthy diet full of plenty of complex carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and fats. You must also remember about drinking water. When playing a sport, your body loses a lot of fluid, which can cause dehydration. This is dangerous so drink a lot of water. Avoid fizzy drinks and sugar. Our students learnt all these during the workshop on healthy food organized by Polskiedzieci.org Foundation. Mrs Magdalena Janusz told our students a lot about the importance of eating healthily. She also prepared some delicious and healthy dishes with the students. See for yourself. There is a list of products needed to prepare the dishes under the video if you want to try to prepare something healthy yourself.