ESD excursion to Bremerhaven: focus on extracurricular places of learning

Extracurricular places of learning play a special role in education for sustainable development (ESD), as they embody interdisciplinary and holistic education around current topics. Two outstanding examples are the Climate House and the German Emigration Center in Bremerhaven.

The Klimahaus Bremerhaven is an interactive science museum that takes visitors on a journey along longitude 8° East. It impressively conveys the diversity of the Earth's climate zones and allows visitors to experience the different climatic conditions, from deserts to polar regions and rainforests. The importance of climate protection and the effects of climate change on our world are made clear. The numerous exhibits, the elaborate interior design and the exemplary nature of the life stories and conditions are very well suited to illustrating the complexity of climate change to pupils.

The Auswandererhaus (Emigration House) is a museum that brings the history of German emigration to America to life. It interactively presents the living conditions, motivations and challenges of emigrants in the 19th and 20th centuries and allows visitors to immerse themselves in the fates and experiences of these people.

© Rachel Bowden

The Auswandererhaus is ideally suited as an extracurricular place of learning in the context of ethical and philosophical education. Ethics and ESD are closely linked, as together they help to create an awareness of the importance of sustainability and ethical behavior. Teaching ethical values such as justice, respect for the environment and social responsibility is crucial for promoting sustainable behavior.

Six seconded teachers at the ZLSB explored the potential of extracurricular places of learning in practice in Bremerhaven at the end of August as part of the current ESD state initiative. In terms of content, the excursion provided space and time to discuss ESD in relation to different disciplines and perspectives. Both museums enabled immersive experiences in the transfer of knowledge and provided impetus for critical discussion. "It was very enriching to come together as a group and get to know each other. We are all in different Faculties, so activities like this are all the more important," emphasized one teacher following the excursion.