“SUITCASE FOR THE DREAM TRIP” and “European Cultural and Gastronomic Challenge”

The celebration will take place in the library of the main school, for students aged 10 to 15, and in the courtyard of a primary school belonging to the Group, for students aged 6 to 9.
“SUITCASE FOR THE DREAM TRIP” 10-15 years old
ACTIVITY 1
Imagine you are going to participate in an Erasmus project. What would you pack in your suitcase to represent Portugal and the city of Leiria?
Students are invited to reflect on the symbols and history of the country and the city, on our natural, material and immaterial heritage. We are what we know and experience, and we carry our cultural baggage with us (this topic can be addressed beforehand in the classroom).
The activity presents several images related to the theme. Each class selects 4 or 5 images to put inside a suitcase, justifying why.
ACTIVITY 2
On the map of Europe, each student places a post-it note with their name on the country they would like to visit.
Individually, or in pairs, students create a label for their travel suitcase.
In the classroom, students should be encouraged to research beforehand about the European country they would like to visit. On the label, they should draw and/or write about their expectations, what they would like to visit and experience during their trip: what kind of landscapes and climate will they find, what museums, historical and cultural sites would they like to visit, what customs and gastronomy await them, will there be sporting and tourist adventures waiting for them?
In the activity, students have various plastic materials available to build the label. All labels are tied to the “Suitcase for the dream trip”.

“European Cultural and Gastronomic Challenge” 6-9 years old

Objectives: To promote knowledge of different European cultures, appreciation of food and gastronomic traditions of the Erasmus LifeNat project partner countries, through a practical and collaborative activity carried out outside the school and integrated into the celebration of Erasmus+ Day and World Food Day.
Activity Description:
The activity will take place outdoors, in the schoolyard, where several thematic stations dedicated to the European countries involved in the Erasmus LifeNat project will be organized. Students will be divided into teams and will explore the different stations, undertaking challenges related to the cuisine, culture, customs, and places of interest of the various European countries.
At each station, students will have the opportunity to learn about and explore traditional dishes and foods from different European countries, discovering gastronomic diversity and the importance of food in different cultures. Typical foods, traditional recipes, and curiosities about the eating habits of each country will be presented, establishing a connection with World Food Day and promoting reflection on the importance of a balanced, varied, and sustainable diet.
Beyond the gastronomic component, students will explore tourist and cultural attractions in partner countries, learning about monuments, cities, traditions, and European heritage. Through games, questions, images, and interactive challenges, they will discover different countries and cultures, developing their knowledge about Europe and reinforcing the spirit of cooperation among participants.
Teams will complete stations in the school playground, following a pre-defined route. At each station, they will have to perform a task, answer questions, or participate in an activity related to food, culture, and places to be visited. At the end, students will share their discoveries and experiences, reflecting on the cultural and gastronomic diversity of Europe.
This activity aims to establish a connection between Erasmus+, World Food Day, and the appreciation of European cultures, encouraging learning through experience, interaction among students, and respect for cultural diversity.