IES LA LABORAL DE LA LAGUNA

Cooperative Proposal: “European Capitals Route” Objective: The objective of the activity is to create a cooperative dynamic in which all secondary school students, together with the participants in the Erasmus Mobilities, will symbolically travel through all the capitals of the European Union, emulating the “Traveling Salesman Problem.” Each group will contribute their efforts to complete the total distance of 17,463 km through physical laps and answering questions. The group that accumulates the most kilometers will win a collective breakfast as a prize. Activity Description: Each group of students will contribute to completing the proposed route, passing through the capitals of the countries of the European Union. The activity will be structured as follows: 1. Scoring System: Each lap completed in the garden (area outside the courts) will represent 10 km. Each set of questions correctly answered about a country will represent 100 km. The group that accumulates the most kilometers will win a collective breakfast at the end of the activity. Groups will carry a symbolic torch and pass it to the next group as a relay. 2. Necessary Materials: Cards with sets of questions for each country. A giant map of Europe to track progress. Push pins and thread to mark the route of each group. A large poster with the scheme of the “Traveling Salesman Problem” to explain the activity. Posters with tables of countries and distances as a reference. European Union flag as a symbol of the event. Scorecard for each group to track their progress. A symbolic torch for relays between groups. 3. Organization and Schedule: On Monday from 08:00-08:50h, all secondary students and Erasmus Mobility participants will be gathered in the auditorium to explain the activity and its importance in the context of the Erasmus Days. Tuesday: 12:00h: Participation of 1st Year of ESO. 12:50h: Participation of 2nd Year of ESO. Wednesday: 08:00h: Participation of 3rd Year of ESO. 08:50h: Participation of 4th Year of ESO. 4. Activity Development: A brief explanation will be given about the Traveling Salesman Problem and how it translates into an optimal route to visit all the capitals of the European Union. Groups will start their journey in the garden, each carrying the symbolic torch, which will be passed to the next group at the end of their time. Teams will be organized to solve the questions for each country using the corresponding cards. For each correctly completed set of questions, they will accumulate 100 km. Completing physical laps in the garden will add more symbolic kilometers to the group’s total (10 km per lap). Groups will record their progress on the scorecards, noting the laps completed and the sets of questions answered. The giant map of Europe will be filled in with push pins and thread as the journey progresses, marking the capitals visited. 5. Award and Closing Ceremony: At the end of the activity, the group that has accumulated the most kilometers will be rewarded with a collective breakfast. A symbolic ceremony will be held where the torch will be handed to the winning group, and reflections will be made on the importance of cooperation and teamwork. The European Union flag will be placed on the map at the end of the route, symbolizing the completion of the activity and the shared European spirit. Space and Logistics: The event will be held in the school’s auditorium for the introduction and distribution of cards. The physical laps will take place in the garden, the area outside the courts, respecting safety regulations and allowing for the organized participation of each group. Expected Outcomes: For students to understand the importance of collaboration and teamwork. To strengthen their knowledge of the characteristics of European countries, including their capitals, culture, and sports. To foster a sense of belonging and cooperation among the students within the context of the Erasmus Days. This proposal aims not only to promote knowledge about Europe in an educational context but also to celebrate the values of unity, cooperation, and cultural exchange promoted by the Erasmus program. Together, we will symbolically and educationally travel through Europe!