Activiteit/evenement
Collecting used backpack for asylum-seeking kids (Primary)
Our PYP5 students recently partnered up with the childcare centre next door to start a special collection project. They gathered used backpacks and filled them with gently-used toys to give to children living in asylum centres in the Netherlands and Greece. With help from teachers and staff, the students organised how the collection would work. They informed families about the project and set up a way to collect and sort the donations. Each backpack was packed with care, with the hope of bringing happiness to children who have had to leave their homes and belongings behind.
- Welke tips wil je andere Eco-teams geven bij het organiseren van een activiteit/evenement?: Working together with another local group—like we did with the childcare centre next door—helps make a bigger difference and brings people together. When students take part in every step of the project, like collecting, sorting, and packing the donations, they feel more involved and connected to what they’re doing. It’s also important to talk with the students afterwards about how the activity made them feel. This helps them understand the experience better and grow their sense of empathy.
- Onderwijstype: Basisonderwijs
- Waarom zijn jullie hier trots op?: We are incredibly proud of our students’ empathy, initiative, and compassion. They saw a need and took meaningful steps to help—sharing their own beloved toys to bring comfort and happiness to others. These children in asylum centres have left behind much of what they knew, and our students responded with kindness and generosity. What stood out most was how our learners understood that their actions, however small, could make a real difference. They showed us what it means to care deeply and act thoughtfully, and they reminded the entire ISB community of the power of empathy in action.
- School: International School Breda
Setting up a wormery (Primary)
This activity was organised by the teaching team as part of a broader project where students were growing their own potatoes and peppers. As part of their learning about healthy soil, the class explored the important role of earthworms in keeping soil rich and full of nutrients. Together, they set up a wormery in the classroom, giving students the chance to observe worms up close. They learned about the worms’ anatomy, life cycle, and diet. Once the project was finished, the worms were gently returned to nature.
- Welke tips wil je andere Eco-teams geven bij het organiseren van een activiteit/evenement?: For anyone planning a similar activity, we recommend keeping it simple by starting with a small, clear setup like a classroom wormery. Involve students in daily observation and care routines, and connect the learning to real-world environmental issues like composting and reducing waste. Most importantly, create time for reflection so students can talk about what they learned and how their thinking has changed. This makes the learning more meaningful and memorable.
- Onderwijstype: Basisonderwijs
- Waarom zijn jullie hier trots op?: We are proud of how curious and respectful the students were throughout the activity. They showed a strong interest in understanding how these tiny creatures support life in the soil, and they made clear connections between worms, composting, and the health of the environment. The students came away with a real appreciation for how even small creatures can make a big difference.
- School: International School Breda
Growing potatoes and peppers (Primary)
Who Organised the Activity and How Was It Done? This garden-to-table activity was organised by the teaching team as part of a hands-on learning unit about food and sustainability. Students took the lead in growing their own potatoes and peppers, learning how to prepare the soil, ensure proper sunlight and watering, and care for their plants over time. As part of their exploration into healthy soil, the class also learned about earthworms and their role in keeping soil rich and fertile.
- Welke tips wil je andere Eco-teams geven bij het organiseren van een activiteit/evenement?: Choose easy vegetables like potatoes and peppers that grow well and are simple for students to care for. Let them take part in the whole process—planting, growing, picking, and even cooking the food. Make it fun and hands-on so they enjoy learning, especially when they get to taste what they’ve grown. Use the activity to talk about healthy eating, taking care of the planet, and how their small actions can make a big difference.
- Onderwijstype: Basisonderwijs
- Waarom zijn jullie hier trots op?: We are proud of how curious and committed the students were throughout the entire process. They showed real patience and care in growing their vegetables and were excited to harvest and cook with them. Seeing students connect the dots between growing food, understanding nature, and making healthy meals was incredibly rewarding.
- School: International School Breda
Winter Planting in the School Grounds (Primary)
This winter planting activity was organised by the teaching staff, with full involvement from the students. The goal was to make the school grounds more colourful during the colder months while also supporting local wildlife. Students worked together to plant seasonal flowers and hardy greenery in the planters around the Primary building. The chosen plants were selected for their ability to survive the cold and add beauty and structure to the outdoor space during the grey winter season.
- Welke tips wil je andere Eco-teams geven bij het organiseren van een activiteit/evenement?: For anyone planning a similar event, we recommend choosing low-maintenance, cold-hardy plants, and involving students in every step—from learning about the plants to digging in the soil. Keep it simple, make it hands-on, and connect the activity to broader topics like biodiversity and urban nature. Most importantly, take time to reflect afterwards so students can see the value of their contribution and understand how small actions can brighten and support the environment all year round.
- Onderwijstype: Basisonderwijs
- Waarom zijn jullie hier trots op?: We are proud of how enthusiastic and engaged the students were throughout the project. They showed care and teamwork while planting, and they were eager to learn about which plants grow well in winter and why green spaces are important—even in cities. Their efforts made a real difference, and the results could be seen and enjoyed by the whole school community.
- School: International School Breda
Plastic bottle and can recycling to raise awareness & funds (Primary)
PYP4, inspired by their unit of Inquiry, started to collect empty cans and plastic bottles from across the school community, and arranged for these items to be exchanged for money at a local supermarket with a view to making a donation to two different environmental projects, turning everyday waste into meaningful action. With guidance from their teachers, they created posters, spread awareness among peers, and set up a designated collection point. The project’s core mission was to raise funds The Ocean Cleanup, which focuses on extracting plastic from oceans and rivers, and Coral Gardeners, which restores coral reefs through innovative conservation methods.
- Welke tips wil je andere Eco-teams geven bij het organiseren van een activiteit/evenement?: It is useful to have a clear goal in mind, one which resonates with the group and makes the objectives tangible. For these students, it was fundraising for a cause they valued. Publicity is also important. We used posters, school announcements, and the school’s digital platforms to create engagement. Involve the broader community to expand impact. It is also important to place clearly-labelled collection bins.
- Onderwijstype: Basisonderwijs
- Waarom zijn jullie hier trots op?: We are incredibly proud of the initiative our students showed along with their determination, and sense of global responsibility. Their efforts went far beyond collecting recyclables—they displayed leadership, creativity, teamwork, and understood that small actions can have far-reaching impacts. They demonstrated how young people can be powerful change agents in their communities and beyond.
- School: International School Breda