Abstract:

The work presented was developed in the framework of educational and dissemination activities promoted by the UNESCO Chair of Earthen Architecture, Constructive Cultures and Sustainable Development at its headquarters at the UPV (directed by F. Vegas and C. Mileto), and in collaboration with the UPV Summer School and Children's School. Within this framework a series of activities were carried out at the Children's School, aimed at children aged 1 to 3, and at the Summer School for those aged 6 to 12. These activities focused on the learning, promotion, and development of earth as a material associated to a wide range of sustainable and ecological construction techniques. This resource is both ancient and contemporary, and linked to numerous cultures.

These activities were carried out in June and July 2016. For the most part they consisted of practical workshops adapted to each level, where students were able to learn about earth and the different earthen construction techniques through experimentation and active methodologies proposed. This promotion of the learning of all facets of alternative techniques favoured aspects which highlighted unconventional constructive systems as possible tools for generating economic and cultural wealth through a sustainable economy.

To ensure objective responses and feedback on the immediate and mid-term impact of these activities among the children, a series of surveys were drawn up and completed by the workshop monitors and the parents to assess the impact of these workshops among children. Ultimately, this aims to obtain a series of guarantees to ensure the correct development of the activities for each level and matching the intellectual growth and development of the children. This direct feedback is essential for the consolidation of some activities, as well as for the modification, adjustment, or even replacement of activities which may not have properly attained the initial objectives.

Keywords:

Earthen architecture, learning by doing, children education.