VISIT TO DRESDEN, BERLIN AND FAREWELL PARTY

Besides taking part in LIS lessons to observe how lessons and interactions between students and

teachers occur at our school, students participating in the programme also had the opportunity to enjoy

themselves while, at the same time, creating bonds between students to help them understand and

overcome cultural differences. These were they aims when we took them to visit the capital of Saxony

and Berlin.

LITTLE VENICE TOUR

One of the most unique aspects of Leipzig is that it is situated at the confluence of three rivers, the 

Weiße Elster, Pleiße und Parthe. Thus, the construction of multiple canals, diversions, and weirs (small 

dams) are designed help to disperse and control water levels and to prevent flooding. Quite the 

opposite of the Spanish situation, Leipzig is very water abundant, at times to a fault.

Due to the intricate network of canals, tours are a popular site-seeing leisure activity. We arranged to

have a private boat tour to showcase the canals, and how Leipzig was historically shaped and defined

by our water resources. Luckily, the tour operator allowed for one more tour, as ours was to be the very

last of the 2019 season. The tour, which included our exchange students from Spain, their teachers,

Eileen Fischer, and Gwendolyn Brunet, took us to three sections of the canals. We learned about their

history, the interesting mix of modern and historic architecture, which border the canals, and the 

economic importance of the freshwater resources available in the canals, for domestic, industrial and 

navigation purposes. The 70 minutes tour was translated by each teacher from Leipzig in turn, which 

helped the exchange students to understand the tour, which gave them opportunities to ask questions.

SCHLEENHAIN OPENCAST MINE 

Certainly, any Freshwater themes in Leipzig revolve around the canals and the surrounding lakes. The

Leipzig hinterlands is thus named Neuseeland (New Lake Land) because of the vast number of new 

lakes. These lakes, as the students already learned from their fieldwork day, were originally open cast 

coal mines for the brown coal which is abundance in central Germany. Although many mines are out of 

commission and are now very popular leisure and recreation sites, one Opencast coal mine is still in

 operation and provides tours. The reason for this particular visit to the Schleenhain Opencast Mine was

again to support the Erasmus+ Project, Freshwater Shortage! Warning!. The focus of this visit was how

the site manages its water resources and steps they take to prevent pollution and contaminants

from entering the local rivers or groundwater (see Tagebau vereignites Schleenhain brochure). This is 

especially important as Leipzig is downstream from this coal mine. Students took public transportation 

from Leipzig to reach the coal mine and were met by a bus which ferried us to their conference

room. There the students learned about the methods and legal responsibilities to ensure water

quality on site, with their presentation titled ‘The water management of the MIBRAG in the

context of the total water balance in the south of Leipzig.”

After the presentation, students needed to board the bus, where hard helmets were waiting. We were

given an extensive tour of the mining operation, and some close-up views of the giant equipment used

to break up and convey the substrate, so that the coal is reached.

Our guide explains how any ground water must be diverted and stored separately, before being

processed and released into the local river system.  Lastly, we were brought to the water works where 

all it is processed. Heavy metals and other toxins are settled out of the water through filters and mag

nets. This portion of the tour was very interesting and 

tied into the project by emphasizing the importance of water quality and energy requirements of

populations. Though the mine will eventually be phased out, the tour was very educational for both

students and staff.

IES AL ÁNDALUS VISITS LEIPZIG INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL

On November 2019 IES Al Ándalus came back to Leipzig as part of the Erasmus+ exchange 

programme. Although when the project was submitted to the respective national agencies we planned

only to carry out two exchanges. However, back in November 2018 we decided to extend the number 

of  mobilities to benefit a larger number of students. This decision was based on the very good 

understanding and support provided by the two schools and, of course, after having the approval of the 

Kultusminister

Konferenz. Like back in April the Spanish students attended a series of activities aimed to create the

relationships between our students and, on the other hand, to develop their awareness and

knowledge of the environmental issues around which our project was based on.

On top of this, we took this visit to develop the ties between our two schools. The headmasters of the

two schools met and shared opinions, ideas and impressions about the programme. These concepts

were shared in a working group formed by teachers from both schools, administrative staff and a parent.

Science experiments at LIS lab and visit to BMW factory

Our Science Lab lessons and our visit to BMW factory: what a great day! 

Our last Wednesday in Leipzig was extremely fun! Following the week schedule we started our first three periods in Science lessons. For these, we were slipt into two groups, one group was taught by Mr. Brunet at a Science lab whereas the other group were led to Mr. Lewis' laboratory. Both teachers are part of the department of Biology and Chemistry at LIS.

Once there, we have worked with enzymes and analysed the speeds of reaction. But apart from this, an extra activity took place which was to experience fire on our own hands!

After these three interesting periods of lesson, we hopped on the tram and later a bus drove us to the most relevent BMW factory in Germany. There we were guided around the whole factory having a look at the different stages in the process of producing cars of this well-known prestigiuos brand. 

Therefore, we were amazed with the technological development of this production chain. We really liked the monitored high-tech robots! In addition, we learnt about the sustainability in the production of these BMW means of transport. Not only are materials reused and recycled, but also electricity for the whole bank factory is generated by the wind turbines and solar pannels. The most exciting part of this visit was to jump into a modern BMW and feel so comfortable in it!!

Finally, we arrived at LIS a bit tired to meet our German hosters after lessons and we enjoyed a tasty cake party and coffee time at the LIS canteen!

Vanesa, Marina y Jose.

Visit to Rosental wastewater treatment plant

A school trip to a German Water Treatment Plant 

This cloudy Tuesday of April has been an experience of enrichment concerning water studies as part of our Erasmus KA229 Freshwater Shortage! Warning! Once we left LIS school, we took the tram to travel from Leipzig, hopped off for a refreshing walk along a forest path and got in Rosental Water Treatment Plant. There, we have learnt the whole process of wastewater cleaning and treatment.

Wasserwerk Rosental is one of the most important wastewater treatment plants in Saxony. There, more than 100.000 cubic metres of wastewater have been treated everyday since 1894. Certainly, our students have had an interesting chance of visiting it in a guided tour by one of its most relevant experts who has been in charge of telling them the whole process. We must not forget to thank Valentin and Helen (two of our German hosters) who have translated the information from German into English. What a hardworking task! Danke schön!

Firstly, they have visited all the machinery developed as the tool for treating the residual water coming from the city until its treatment with biological and chemical products. After that cleaning process, they have observed the clean and purified freshwater obtained as a final product and how it returns to the city suppliers. 

It has been a fruitful and useful activity to learn how residual water turns into clean drinkable freshwater. They have also revised previous knowledge such as water cycle, water pollution and its effect for the whole planet. They have also thought of the waste of freshwater not only in public places but also in our private lives at home. As a resut, they have become more aware of the good use we MUST make of freshwater in our cities and in the whole planet. 

Freshwater shortage! Warning! 

 Vanesa, Jose y Marina

Lake Cospuden on bike!

Riding bikes to pay a visit to Lake Cospuden and doing fieldwork tasks

This Monday has been an unforgettable day at Leipzig International School. After periods of lessons, Mr. Antoranz and Mrs. Brunet had planned a visit to Lake Cospuden in the outskirts of the city of Leipzig. We rode a bike to reach this beatiful place and we also enjoyed a lovely spring weather.

Once there, the point of the tasks in hand was to learn about the importance of this water source and the current quality of leisure and recreation of this area. Needless to say that it makes an impact in the areas around this lake concerning animals, vegetation and their natural habitat. 

In this vein, this activity aims to make our students be concerned with the negative consequences of touristic and amusing activities in natural areas such as artificial constructions and the loss of appropriate habitats for vegetation and animal beings. However, solutions such as recycling bins, hike and bike paths, reliable public tranportation, designated beaches and protected spaces for animals and plants do help to support this environment and save this area from pollution and negative effects on its nature.

As a result, our students have learnt to use an anemometer and a compass to record the wind speed, direction and temperature to study the features of this lake. Consequently, they have also confirmed that we must save our planet from pollution, human recreation and constructions since pavements, restaurants, parkings, etc. are a great deal of damage to the natural environment.

Let's save our planet!

Erasmus+: Freshwater shortage! Warning!

 Jose, Vanesa and Marina

Just a memory: Beach clean up in Almuñécar.

We still remember our task of cleaning up all beaches in Almuñécar 

All students and teachers will never forget our hardworking activity in the beach clean up held in Almuñécar to promote clean lands and oceans in our planet. Consequently, all local schools and high schools joined forces by the seaside 14th February 2019 to pick up all kinds of garbage, plastics, cigarette filters, butts, tins, rest of nets, woody sticks, etc. 

Generally speaking, more than 600 students collected 165 kilograms of polluting stuff together with the help of green associations such as Beach Patrol, Asociación Chenolia, Buceo Open Water and other volunteers such as Michael Comley and his wife Jenny. As a result, we are absolutely satisfied with this local ecofriendly gesture and its impact on local minds. 

http://diariosexitano.com/2019/02/15/el-ies-al-andalus-satisfecho-por-el-exito-de-la-jornada-medioambiental-vivida-en-el-dia-sin-coches-y-limpieza-de-playas-en-almunecar/

We all hope that this thought-provoking task organised as part of the Erasmus+ KA229: Freshwater Shortage! Warning! helps to save our planet from the global warming and to make people sure of keeping on our promise of recycling, reusing and reducing plastic.

https://www.ideal.es/granada/costa/kilos-basura-amor-20190214200927-nt.html

 We are proud of being plastic free! 

Cecilia, Jose,Vanesa and Marina

 

A welcoming meeting at LIS

Our first day at Leipzig International School

Early and bright, Al-Ándalus students were given a lift by their host families to arrive at LIS School where Al-Ándalus teachers together with the LIS teacher Mister Antoranz were waiting for them. Once all students came in the Music Room (012), there was a warming welcoming talk by the Head of School David Smith followed by greeting words by the LIS Commercial Director Thomas Pessara.

Listening to David Smith's talk

Thomas Pessara's introduction

Secondly,  Mister Antoranz provided Al-Ándalus students with a complete timetable and updated information to take into account for the different activities. Then, school rules were explained in detail by two outstanding LIS students.

Time schedule

Mister Antoranz´s explanation

LIS students explaning school rules

After that, an engaging German lesson took place and it was perfectly led by three hardworking LIS students. Greetings, numbers, and useful expressions to interact in German were taught in a great dynamic way. Finally, Al-Ándalus students together with LIS students attended lessons as normal.

German lessons

Practising numbers in German

Practising words and expressions in German

What a welcoming day we have experienced! Thanks! Danke!

Vanesa, Jose and Marina

IES Al Andalus off to Germany!

Al-Ándalus Students and teachers  in Germany

Hello again! Hallo!

Here you have our updated information about the second students and teachers' exchange in the Erasmus+ KA229 project: Freshwater Shortage! Warning!

IES Al-Ándalus students and teachers packed up their stuff, took an early flight from Málaga and arrived at Berlin-Schönefeld Airport at 10:45 am. Then the adventure in Berlin consisted of a cultural tour visiting the most relevant top-rated tourist attractions. Firstly, after arriving at  Berlin Hauptbanhof, we led to Reichstag (the Parliament) and Brandenburg Gate, the two most famous historic landmarks and two symbols of unity and peace after the historic division.

Berlin Hautbanhnof

Reichstag

Brandenburg Gate

Secondly, we dived into the II World War consequences so that we paid a visit to Berlin Holocaust Memorial, Wall Memorial at Postdamer Platz  and other places and Checkpoint Charlie which marks the best-known crossing point between East and West Berlin by that postwar time.

Wall Memorial

Checkpoint Charlie

Later, in our way along Unter der Linden, we learned about historical places and institutions such as Bebelplatz, Humbolt University, Alexander Platz and the Cathedral. Then, we got in Pergamon Museum and Neues Museum, the most visited of the Museum Island attractions.

Berlin Cathedral

Pergamon Museum

Finally, we took a train off to Leipzig where LIS students, host families and LIS teachers picked us up at Leipzig Hauptbanhnof with a warming welcoming.

Hopping off the train

hugs and love for everybody!

It was such an amazing day for everybody! Thanks a lot! Danke schön!

 José, Vanesa and Marina

Farewell guided tour through Granada

And the last day in Granada for our German students arrived. To say goodbye, nothing better than a guided tour by our school students through the most interesting points of interest in the city: Bib-Rambla square, Cathedral, Royal Chamber, Chancery, Corral del Carbón and many more. It has been a splendid finishing touch for a week that has been for sure very productive, not only for the students but also for all the teachers who have participated in each activity of the program. See you back soon in Leipzig!