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A registration period for the summer sessions 2019 at the International Green School is announced: dates, program and requirements

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We are a team of artists, scholars and educators.

Each of us loves our work very much and knows how to be of true interest to others.

We invite you to put yourself into the world of experiments in science, technology, media and art in the picturesque Carpathian Kosmach, at a “school without walls,” in which laboratories operate outdoors, and a special atmosphere, free of gadgets and urban noise, is created by mountain whisper and smells, friends near, scientific expeditions and trips in mountains to pick berries.

About us

The International Green School is a community of children and adolescents who admire science and innovations which can be done through experiments.

The task of our team is to find and involve in the science of those who have the potential in 5-10 years to become creative leaders of inventions that can change not only a particular industry or a city but the world.

Our goal is to create a powerful community of creative inventors who will work on their own innovative developments, starting from the teenage years, and adequately represent Ukraine at the world level.

Since 2012, during summer, fall, winter and spring breaks, we have organized educational camps in the picturesque Carpathian village Kosmach using the STrEAM methodology (S-science, T-Technology, r-research, E-engineering, A-arts, M-math). Sometimes, we conduct study sessions or masterclasses in Kyiv, other cities and villages.

It is important for us to grow the person who has not only a powerful intelligence but also, above all, a good heart and values. Therefore, we aim a lot of activities precisely at educating “people of good deeds” and teaching children how to work in a team and help each other.

 

Our advantages

Experience

For 7 years of the project, more than 4,000 people have become participants of our events and programs.

An approach

Study at the IGS is based on the STrEAM methodology, which has integrated courses that combine science, technology, engineering, art and mathematics teaching. At the same time, they learn such “soft skills” as teamwork, time management, the ability to think strategically and discard unnecessary, present their work. Each lesson is a mix of these subjects: if we learn biology, then we analyze it through the prism of technology, Ukrainian traditional art, engineering and business; so we learn to look for the interconnections and the basis for mutual reinforcement, not competition.

We adapted the experience of our colleagues from Israel and the USA at the IGS, giving our “green zest,” namely an authentic culture of the Carpathian village, an eco-house with huge windows and workshops in the yard, and, of course, the authorial programs of our teachers and young scientists.

We are a social enterprise

Our social mission is to make high-quality innovative education (according to the STrEAM methodology) available for children and youth who live in remote and hard-to-reach areas, such as in mountainous or in the Eastern Ukraine.

We accumulate the profit received from conducting camps to create non-profit projects for the above-mentioned audience, provide the children of ATO participants with free trips; we spend some funds to improve the conditions for education and accommodation (the “school without walls,” open-air laboratories is a philosophy, not advertising slogan, for us).

For 7 years we have organized a lot of things, but we are dreaming of making more systematic and profound changes. So, paying for a trip to the camp, you lay a brick in the foundation of such projects.

 

Upcoming sessions (camps)

June 3-10

A program:

- Astronomical observations, the study of comets and asteroids, familiarity with the Astrometrica computer program;

- Blogging;

- Time management for schoolchildren - Baby SCRUM;

- Botany: the study of medicinal herbs, learning of plants that remember dinosaurs;

- Scientific projects

- Artistic studios on thick linen, painting of fabrics;

- Ethno-workshops;

- Shadow theater based on the children's poetry of Klim Churyumov;

- Mountain hiking;

- Media School (appr.): the “Birds” children's media studio, the School of Scientific Journalism and a debating media club;

- One trip to Kolomyia/Kosiv/Kryvorivnya;

- Additional optional trips are possible.

During astronomy studies, you will be able to assess the issue of protecting our planet from unwanted catastrophic collisions with space “guests”; conduct fascinating observations of comets in the astronomical observatory; develop the results and publish them under their own name in prestigious international editions: Minor Planet Center Circulars, The Astronomer and the Ukrainian magazine “Our Sky”. Students and teachers of schools will be able to get acquainted with Oleksandr Baransky's proprietary methodology “Dynamic Astronomy: Learning Kepler's Laws through Performance and Theater.”

At the same time, blogs will be created, and participants will get acquainted with the secrets of successful blogging.

Moderators:

Oleksandr BARANSKY is the senior researcher of the Department of Natural Flora of the National Botanical Garden named after M.Gryshko, the NAS of Ukraine, the coordinator of the International Astronomical Organization “International Comet Quarterly” in Ukraine, the head of the Astronomy section of the JAS department in Kyiv, PhD, Biology.

Halyna KASYANCHUK is the artist working in watercolor techniques, glass and fabrics painting, and others. She has taught art for children for more than 20 years. Halyna is the author of courses on creative industries at the International Green School.

 

June 12-25

You can choose the camps topics on your own (combining several sections - the author's programs of our teachers, the list is below, in a separate block); the option is available for group booking. If you are a separate participant, not as a class member, and have a desire to fit into these dates, please leave your contacts in the registration form, and we will send you all the necessary information about the program after its approving.

 

July 10-23, “The School of Cinema and Mathematics”

The camp’s program consists of:

- Acting skills, a drama, cinema genres, a patriotic film and storyboarding;

- Photo/video lessons; how to make a video advertising card;

- Scriptwriter secrets;

- Cinema Club in the open air, the discussion of “A Fairy Tale of Money” and “A Border-line” films with their film director;

- classes on the advanced course of mathematics
- programming through gaming

- How to make a video clip without editing (video in one frame).

The program authors:

Olesya Morgunets-Isayenko, the director,

Tamara Karpinska, the actress and director.

 

July 2-7, [Not]school for educators

Our goal is to create a team of educators, who are not indifferent, to disseminate innovative STrEAM education based on values ​​of mercy, responsibility, respect for national traditions and diversity.

The 6-day session includes three training modules, which are defined in an announcement of the program.

Each session ends with the international conference “From the Ecology of the Soul - to the Ecology of the Universe!”

Participants who have successfully completed training receive certificates with an indication of hours (in cooperation with the Luhansk Regional Institute of Postgraduate Pedagogical Education)

Click here to find more information...

July 25-August 6, “GreenLab”

Becoming a member of the “GreenLab” biological workshop, you will get a unique opportunity to gain new knowledge in biology and ecology, learn how to work with the smallest biological objects, identify the DNA of banana and kiwi, see with your own eyes the breathing of different plants, learn how to work with living cells, and this is only a partial list of mega-interesting lessons.

The program of the session is held jointly with young scientists from the Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, “GreenLab.”

The program’s authors:

Julia Ovchynnikova, the acting dean of the Biological Faculty at the Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, the official delegate from Ukraine to the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc), PhD, Biology.

Kateryna Reshetnyk, the assistant of the Plant Physiology and Biochemistry Department and the deputy dean of the Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University.

August 7 – 20, the School of Young Startupers

 

Reserved

 

August 21 - 30

You can choose the topics of camps on your own (combining several sections - the author's programs of our teachers, the list is below, in a separate block); the option is available for group booking. If you are a separate participant, not as a class member, and have a desire to fit into these dates, please leave your contacts in the registration form, and we will send you all the necessary information about the program after its approving.

 Our sections

• The School of Young Startupers (we develop entrepreneurial skills among schoolchildren who are enthusiastic about science: learning how to create a high-tech startup, how marketing and SCRUM management are organized);
• Workshops of self-presentation;
• The School of Blogging (the topics we study to cover: blogging, startups, innovations, fun science for junior schoolchildren);
• The School of Animated Cartoons;
• The Photo Studio;
• Mathematics and art, mental mathematics;
• Robotics;
• Programming (separate groups for 7-year-old children and older and for adolescents): SCRATCH using the MAKEY MAKEY (STEM, USA) gaming;
• Astronomy (“Scientific Observations of Comets and Asteroids,” “Chemistry and Physics of Space,” astronomical observations using a telescope, other author’s programs);
• “Physics and music”;
• The Media School (Media School Diary 2012);
• “History of the artist's materials: from the cave to contemporary painting”;
• Chemistry (chemistry and cooking, the chemistry of crystals and traditional art, pottery chemistry, cheese toys and chemistry of milk, etc.);
• Drone engineering;
• BabySCRUM management for children (SCRUM is an agile method of planning and accomplishing tasks in a team, including time management);
• Interactive English with a native speaker to help you overcome all barriers to speaking with foreigners (appr);
• Biology (workshops, scientific expeditions in the mountains, including ornithology (studies of birds), entomology (studies of insects), the creation of herbarium, etc.);
• Paleontology;
• Meteorology.

Other sections will be supplemented.

 

The program benefits

Scientific excursions

to the educational institutions of Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyia; to the cities: Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kolomyia, Kosiv, trip on the Pip Ivan mountain, etc.

Studying traditional folk crafts

Each house in Kosmach has its own master, and this village has maintained its cultural authenticity.

Eco-food according to traditional cuisine

with fresh vegetables from their own garden will not leave anyone indifferent.

The English speaking club

with a native language speaker, on the stove, discussing valuable things.

 

You can come to us with a class or a mixed group (a group from one school + other participants), but sometimes the family also wants to come with the participant. We are very flexible in such cases.

One group is 20-30 people, and we can divide it into age categories and training levels. For example, if the age of the main group of children is 13-14 years old, and the younger or older participant wants to join the group, we will adapt the program according to his/her needs.

Subjects are taught at a popular level, so information will be interesting both for a pensioner and a 4-th grade child. On the other hand, our program consists of classes that provide a certain level of knowledge, so the participants can be from specialized natural sciences and mathematics lyceums, art schools; there is a more in-depth program for them.

 

About living conditions

All participants and teachers of the International Green School live, eat and attend training in one space, in our house (if there are not enough places, it is possible to place teachers and family members in houses of our friends near the IGS).

The International Green School is not a house for green tourism and recreation. This is an alternative school with a full board, in which the main idea is a friendly atmosphere and an innovative program. At the same time, living conditions are modest.

The house of the school is a three-story manor with porch and gallery made entirely of wood and processed with clay and environmental wax. Some rooms do not have high beds, instead, there are low pallets and modern orthopedic mattresses there. The height of the ceiling on the 3rd floor in some rooms is less than 2 m. The rooms and bathrooms are small.

Accommodation is from 3 to 6 people per room. There are no rooms for 1-2 persons in the IGS.

The school has fiber optic internet, WI-FI. There is no TV. Telephone communication is limited (only Kyivstar and partly Vodafone).

However, the premises, crockery and decorations of the school are performed by the best Ukrainian folk masters. There are 7 modern bathroom facilities (toilet, shower) with special Hansgrohe eco-smart equipment for economical use of water. Hot water is available all year long, around the clock, but its absence is possible because of a shortage in water supply in the Carpathians, which is connected with environmental problems and the climate change. Therefore, the use of a shower is sometimes on schedule.

There are a waterfall and a river near the school. We also have a shelter and a pottery workshop on the territory of the IGS. There is also a garden where students of the green school grow organic vegetables in the summer. The IGS is at a distance of 4.5 km from the village center.

The photos of the school

Meals are prepared 4 times a day. The International Green School provides eco-food. The local mistress is cooking according to the best traditions of home Western Ukrainian cuisine. The menu also has traditional Hutsul dishes. There is a separate menu for vegetarians. Our zest is coffee outdoors with Hutsul cheeses for adults and “Space Cocoa” for children. The meal for the participants is only scheduled; self-service rules are applied. Some dishes are cooked in the oven.

How we conducted the camp last year

 

Costs

	A 7-day session	A 14-day session
Full cost	5 200 UAH	8 500 UAH
If prepaid until April 25	4 200 UAH	7 500 UAH
If prepaid until May 15	4 500 UAH	7 800 UAH
If prepaid after May 16	5 200 UAH	8 500 UAH

 

* For prepayment you must pay 50% of the cost; the full cost must be paid 30 days before the camp starts.

 

There are discounts for group booking (a discount of UAH 300 per person), social prices and vouchers for schoolchildren from the East, children of ATO families, and discounts for those who have already taken part in our camps.

 

The cost includes:

Education program

Residence

Four meals daily

The Kolomyia-Kosmach-Kolomyia transfer

 

The cost does not include:

Transfer to Kolomyia

Medical Insurance

 

WARNING! From 2019 on, there is a separate bonus program for educators who involve students in participating in the International Green School.

 

Book a voucher

 

If you want to support us and help us gather the group, we have developed special offers:

1. If you independently gather the main group and accompany it as a manager, you will receive a fee + bonus __% for each participant you brought.
2. If you want to go as a group manager and cannot gather the main group, but you can bring a group of 3 people together, then you will receive a fee + bonus __% for each participant you brought.
3. If you do not go as a group manager, you have the only % for each participant you brought.
4. If you want to go as a group manager but you cannot gather participants, then you will receive a manager's fee.

Details on the terms of cooperation are in the attached document.

 

An example of how the schedule will look like

January 9, 2018
08:00	Wake up
08:30	Ruhanka (Exercises)
09:00	Workshops near the stove: Cheese konyky (horses)/Photoshop
10:00	Photoshop/Cheese konyky
12:00	Building a snow fortress
14:00	Lunch
14:30	Time of silence and calm
15:30	Workshops near the stove: Chemistry/Angel’s workshop
17:00	Space Cocoa
17:30	Workshops near the stove: Angel’s workshop/Chemistry
19:00	Dinner
20:00	Dancing in the gallery
20:30	Debating media club. “Rosetta” is the film about Klim Churyumov.
22:00	Light out

 

Teachers of the International Green School

Oleksandr Baransky

The senior researcher of the Department of Natural Flora of the National Botanical Garden named after M.Gryshko, the NAS of Ukraine, the coordinator of the International Astronomical Organization “International Comet Quarterly” in Ukraine, editor-in-chief of the “Our Sky” magazine, the head of the Astronomy section of the JAS department in Kyiv, the head of the Astronomy and Botany sections at the International Green School, PhD, Biology.

Kateryna Reshetnyk

The deputy dean of the Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, the lecturer, the head of the Ecology section of the International Green School.

“I am studying the influence of laser irradiation on the growth processes of basidium mushrooms.

I consider myself a creative biologist who tries to develop science. I practice fitness in my spare time. I like to drink coffee with milk outdoors. I also dream to visit Venice and make a selfie with a kangaroo.

The International Green School inspires to the constant development and creation of non-standard projects. It is ‘GreenLab,’” for example.”

Olesya Morgunets-Isayenko

The head of the “Cinema School” section, the director.

 

“In my childhood, I dreamed of getting on the TV. I wanted to become a heroine of a fairy tale, and it was probably a reason why I became a director. I graduated from Kyiv National I. K. Karpenko-Kary Theatre, Cinema and Television University. Among my works, there were a series of video clips for the exhibition devoted to the war in the Donbas, documentary films. In 2018, the full-length film “The Tale of Money” came out. In 2019, it was the film “A Border-line. The Hrubeshivska Operation.” In 2016-2018, I worked with the NGO “Vidkryta Polityka” (Open Policy) and created a series of films for children living on the territory of the Donbas and the Crimea.

From 2015 till now, I am a jury member of the competition “Coronation of Word.” I taught the editing at the children's studio “Red Dog.”

There are many dreams. I want to do what would bring me pleasure and benefit for others, travel around the world, film the novel “Miracle,” and grow a daughter to be a good person. I also dream that once mankind will realize that our planet is our gift, which we must appreciate and help all living things to flourish. I write poetry. When I started photographing, the poetry transformed into the picture. I love to look at the beauty of nature, the flowers blossom, and the sunset ... And when I see it, I always say: ‘How beautiful, how beautiful.’”

Julia Ovchynnikova

The moderator of the “GREEN LAB” section, the acting dean of the Biological faculty at the Vasyl’ Stus Donetsk National University, the official delegate from Ukraine to the European Council of Doctoral Candidates and Junior Researchers (Eurodoc), the head of the Biology section of the International Green School, PhD, Biology.

 

Book a place

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Victoria:

What things must the child take with he/she?

The IGS team:

A few weeks before the camp starts, we will send a list of things we recommend you to bring with.

Kateryna:

If my child goes from another city, separately from the main group, who will escort him/her?

The IGS team:

In this case, we either seek an escort (an educator) from the city in which you live or we arrange a meeting at a certain point (in Kyiv, Ivano-Frankivsk or Kolomyia), where the child will come on their own. In any case, each situation is individual, and we can find out the most optimal ways to solve it.

Oleksii:

May parents or grandparents come with the child?

The IGS team:

Of course! In this case, family members also buy the voucher at a special price and can live in the house (or, if there are no places, in the farmsteads near), have meals at our school and participate in all activities they are interested in.

 

Address of the International Green School:

128 Stavnytska str.

Kosmach, the Kosiv district,

Find on the map

GPS Coordinates: 48.308176, 24.832688

Our office contacts:

+38 (067) 454 4516

8А Levandovska Str., Kyiv

igsassistant@gmail.com
http://openpolicy.org.ua/igs/about/


Organizer:

NGO “Open Policy Foundation”

Tel .: +38 (044) 279 0096;

+38 (068) 024 5169

Skype: Open Policy Foundation

openpolicy.org.ua
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From the Ecology of the Soul – to the Ecology of the Universe!