On 8–9 October 2025, educators, researchers, and project partners from across Europe met in Berlin for the CicloSchools International Teacher Training, an inspiring two-day event dedicated to the Circular Economy (CE) and Hackathon-based learning.
Organized by CRN, TU/E, and STIM, with the creative contribution of all project partners, the training combined theoretical insights, hands-on learning, and collaborative innovation — showcasing how circular thinking can be brought to life in schools.
About the CicloSchools Project
CicloSchools aims to develop and test innovative teaching and learning resources that support the integration of Circular Economy concepts into secondary education.
The project’s mission is to empower both teachers and students to better understand sustainability challenges and to co-create practical, action-oriented solutions for a circular future.
Through its activities, CicloSchools seeks to:
- Explore and build on existing research and practices to design school education programmes that develop students’ sustainability competences, with a focus on Circular Economy skills.
- Develop a comprehensive training programme for pre-service and in-service teachers, equipping them with the ability to teach sustainability through competence-based, hands-on methods.
- Create innovative teaching and learning resources to support a new approach to Circular Economy education in schools.
- Test and evaluate the CicloSchools curriculum, assessing its impact on science and sustainability learning in secondary education.
Day 1 – Discovering and Exploring the Circular Mindset
The first day in Berlin set the stage for discovery and collaboration. Following a warm welcome by CRN, TU/E presented an overview of the project and the outputs developed under WP2.
Participants then engaged in a World Café session, where each partner organization hosted a table focused on one of the seven Circular Economy teaching modules. This interactive exchange allowed participants to reflect, share experiences, and suggest improvements for the modules.
The afternoon featured Open Space Learning sessions based on the first three modules of the CicloSchools Curriculum (WP3). Teachers were free to move between stations, test activities, and exchange ideas about how to implement circular thinking in their classrooms.
The day concluded with an excursion to a local initiative related to Circular Economy — connecting theory with real-world practice and inspiring participants to take these lessons back to their schools.
Day 2 – From Thinking to Doing: The Hackathon Experience
The second day brought the Hackathon experience to life. Led by STIM and supported by all project partners, the day introduced participants to the CicloHackathon – an educational format that transforms learning into active problem-solving.
The morning began with the presentation of the Hackathon concept and a series of challenges proposed by partner schools, each linked to real sustainability issues in education.
Teachers then moved into an ideation session, where creativity and teamwork flourished as they designed practical solutions.
Later sessions introduced digital tools for Circular Economy solutions, such as Canvas: Marketing digital tools for Circular Storytelling, presented by StoryTellMe. With coaching from project partners, the participants developed prototypes and learned how to present their ideas effectively through pitching methodologies led by CRN.
The day culminated in final project presentations, where each team showcased its circular solution — from waste reduction ideas and community projects to innovative classroom tools. The atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm, collaboration, and a strong sense of purpose.
Reflections and Impact
The Berlin training provided a vibrant environment for teachers to learn by doing, reinforcing the idea that Circular Economy education can be both creative and practical.
By combining hands-on workshops, digital tools, and hackathon-based learning, the CicloSchools project demonstrated how innovation can inspire new ways of teaching science, technology, and sustainability.
Participants left the event not only with new knowledge and tools but also with renewed motivation to embed circular thinking into their teaching practices and to empower students as active changemakers in their communities.
The CicloSchools International Teacher Training marked another important step toward transforming sustainability education into a participatory, action-oriented experience — connecting ideas, people, and purpose for a circular future. ♻️
