The European project THALLA (Thriving Agroecology Living Lab) launches its first educational activities in primary schools, turning students into young researchers of nature and bringing agroecology
In a bright classroom at the 1st Primary School of Dionysos, sixth-grade students watch in awe as a small plant grows inside a handmade greenhouse. This is not just another school activity—it marks the beginning of the THALLA (Thriving Agroecology Living Lab) educational initiative, designed to bring the science of agroecology into the daily lives of children.
The THALLA project officially launched its series of school-based activities aiming to raise awareness among younger generations about climate change, food security, and biodiversity. Through specially designed workbooks, scientific presentations, and interactive exercises, students became “junior agronomists” for a day—designing and building both an open and closed vegetable garden, learning hands-on how ecosystems function and how deeply nature influences our food systems.
The educational approach follows the concept of a “Living Lab” a “living laboratory” that connects learning with real-life challenges. In an imaginative role-playing game, students took on the roles of farmers, consumers, researchers, and policy-makers, exploring how each actor contributes to the agri-food chain. This experiential method—still rare in Greek education—combines theory with practical skills, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and a sense of environmental responsibility.
Beyond theory, THALLA’s workshops included practical guides on planting, cultivation, and maintenance, highlighting sustainable practices such as water-saving irrigation systems and the essential role of bees in pollination. The newly built vegetable garden on school grounds will soon be linked to the operation of the school canteen, connecting learning directly to nutrition and everyday food choices.
This initiative is part of THALLA’s broader strategy to link agri-food education with community engagement. Funded within European frameworks for agroecological innovation, THALLA acts as a co-creation platform bringing together scientists, local communities, and institutional actors to design sustainable and resilient food systems.
Beyond the schoolyard, THALLA aims to show that education is a cornerstone of environmental awareness. By integrating agroecology into school life, it helps shape a new generation of citizens who understand the value of land, food, and nature. Through activities like this, agroecology is no longer an abstract concept reserved for experts—it becomes a lived experience, a lesson in resilience and care that begins in childhood.