1st Student Competition (Hackathon) for the Circular Economy in Volos
Fourth General High School Volou
2 September 2026
The two-day Hackathon held in Volos on March 26 and 27 was successfully completed, with the participation of middle and high school students from our region. Twelve teams from the 4th General High School and 4th Gymnasium of Volos, the 2nd Model High School of Volos, the 2nd General High School of Nea Ionia, the 5th General High School of Volos, and the Gymnasium with Lyceum classes of Efxinoupoli, a total of 86 students, competed and presented their ideas.
The competition was organized by 4th General High School of Volos and the educational organization Stimmuli for social change from Thessaloniki, within the framework of the Erasmus+ program titled “CicloSchools,” in which they are partners. A project that pioneers the integration of the circular economy into Secondary Education through the development of a detailed curriculum, aiming to transform the learning of the Circular Economy into an engaging, practical experience. This innovative curriculum includes 4 structured modules, over 10 challenge-based learning activities in each of them, and a special module with all the information and instructions for utilizing the Hackathon as an educational tool.
In this context, the action focused on the circular economy, specifically on the use and reuse of paper in the school environment, giving students the opportunity to develop innovative ideas for reducing waste and utilizing surplus materials.
The Hackathon began with the reception of the participants and the presentation of the theme of the two-day event by the science advisor, Mr. Evangelos Diakoumis. Next, the professors of the University of Thessaly, Ms. Steriani Matsiori from the Department of Agricultural Sciences, Fisheries, and Aquatic Environment, and Ms. Maria Letsios from the Department of Preschool Education, clarified the concept of the circular economy and the importance of sustainable resource management.
Three representatives of innovative start-up businesses from Thessaly, Ms. Kelly Nanu from Centaur Technologies, Mr. Ilias Kalivas from Recoil and Mrs. Maria Gougoulia inspired the students about the value of the subject. The Director of Secondary Education of Magnesia, Mr. Socrates Savelidis trained the students in the Theory of Inventive Problem Solving.
The brainstorming stage followed, during which the groups, with the support of their teachers, developed proposals for reducing waste and utilizing excess paper. During the first day, the teams worked on organizing their ideas and designing their proposals. With the support of the coordinators, the students developed their initial plans, discussing the practical implementation of their solutions in the school environment. This process enhanced collaboration, critical thinking, and active participation among the students.
The second day of the Hackathon focused on the development and completion of the ideas. Ms. Ino Korompoki and Ms. Vivi Anagnou presented to the children presentation methodologies and technological tools for showcasing the idea. Two experts in the field of new technologies, Mr. Alexandros Gorbenco from IndiePump and BehindTheHump, and Mr. Georgios Lampis, VR/AR Developer at NITlab, showcased modern expression tools and the production of visual material, while the PhD candidates of the University of Thessaly, Mr. Pasintelis Kariofyllis-Panagiotis and Ioannis Chantzoglou addressed the students’ teams’ questions regarding practical issues related to their ideas.
The teams created presentations and visual materials, while simultaneously working on improving the structure and clarity of their proposals. The students developed presentation and argumentation skills while preparing their final proposals. The Hackathon concluded with the group presentations, where the students presented their ideas for reusing paper and creating more sustainable school practices. The proposals highlighted the creativity and environmental sensitivity of the participants, while also emphasizing the importance of the circular economy in the daily functioning of schools and society. A comprehensive guide for organizing successful Hackathons is freely available for use and download in the MOOC of the CicloSchools program at the following address: https://cicloschools.eu/MOOC.
The European project CicloSchools aims to raise awareness and enhance students’ knowledge about the circular economy, which is a critical point for changing environmental attitudes due to the changes brought about by accelerated climate change. Through this targeted action, students had the opportunity to understand the value of responsible resource use and to develop 21st-century skills such as collaboration, creative thinking, and problem-solving. At the same time, environmental awareness and the active participation of students in actions that promote sustainability were strengthened.
The success of the initiative confirms the importance of continuing similar initiatives that encourage young people to take an active role in shaping a more sustainable and responsible future. As we are ready to present these materials to schools across Europe, stay tuned for further updates! Visit our website (https://cicloschools.eu/) and follow us on our social media:
Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/people/CicloSchools-Project/61555259362422/)
Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cicloschoolsproject/)
LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/cicloschools-project-2525302a7/)
About CicloSchools:
CicloSchools is a pioneering project funded by the European Union’s Erasmus Programme, under Action KA220-SCH — Partnerships for cooperation in primary and secondary education. Its aim is to drive the integration of education for the circular economy into secondary schools across Europe, fostering a generation of innovative and environmentally conscious thinkers.
