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The European CNC-Network with its former school partnership "Train for EUROPE" was the winning project of the European Charlemagne Youth Prize 2010! HERE WE CONTINUE WITH THE "TRAIN FOR EUROPE - RELOADED" ... |
THE PRESIDENT OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT TAKES OVER PATRONAGE
Our partnership has been funded with the support of the European Commission and
we are very proud that Mr. Martin Schulz, the President of the European Parliament, has taken over patronage of this project.
As an unforgettable highlight we had the chance to present our "Train for EUROPE - RELOADED" at the European Parliament in Brussels.
Thanks a lot to Mrs. Christa Klaß (MEP) who made it possible.
"WHAT WE HAVE DONE TO CONNECT PEOPLE" -
This was our Motto of the new "Train for EUROPE - RELOADED" adventure!
24 partner schools from 23 European countries worked together starting in summer 2011 until 2013 on the new "Train for EUROPE - RELOADED".
Having regard to the common motto they produced four different locomotives and designed 24 individual wagons for exchanging among each other.
The project work has been supported by many further activities - including by the HEIDENHAIN company as our associated partner. Thanks again!
"The "Train for EUROPE - RELOADED" was like a metaphor for the EU and the way everyone's connected, but we're all connected in our unique ways"
KWESI FORTUNE - student from Ireland
Once again all the partner schools are convinced that this project is perfectly suited to work as another successful project supported by the “European CNC-Network”.
The result of our efforts symbolizes again the successful cooperation between the different European educational institutions - and not only in technical issues.
The participants are confident that we have found again in this project an excellent example for increasing the “European spirit”.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO KNOW MORE ABOUT OUR SCHOOL PARTNERSHIP?
Please feel free to have a look at our project web.
We have linked:
Have fun and click on the categories within the hyperlink frame at the left side.
Any questions? Please contact comenius@cnc-network.eu ...
FINAL RESULTS OF THE APPROVAL PROCEDURE
All the partner schools mentioned in the application form got permission to take part in the "Train for EUROPE -RELOADED"!
| Germany | approved for coordination | ||||
| Austria [FUL] | approved | Austria [STP] | approved | Belgium | approved |
| Croatia | approved | Denmark | approved | Finland | approved |
| France | approved | Hungary | approved | Iceland | approved |
| Ireland | approved | Italy | approved | Lithuania | approved |
| Luxembourg | approved | Netherlands | approved | Norway | approved |
| Poland | approved | Portugal | approved | Romania | approved |
| Slovakia | approved | Slovenia | approved | Sweden | approved |
| Switzerland | approved | Turkey | approved | Heidenhain Co. | take part as associated partner |
FINAL PROJECT MEETING IN BAD KREUZNACH (GERMANY), THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT IN BRUSSELS AND IN LUXEMBOURG
5th of April until 13th of April 2013
The final project meeting was organized by the coordinating school BBS TGHS in Bad Kreuznach (Germany) and
the Lycée technique des Arts et Métiers in Luxembourg.
Have a look at the Meeting Agenda showing the main targets of the meeting:
SUMMARY OF THE MEETING
The final project meeting of T4EU-R was a combined meeting involving the German, Belgium and Luxembourg partners. This was an ambitious undertaking by the
coordinators which in the end resulted in a huge success for all concerned.
Part one of the meeting was held in Bad Kreuznach (the coordinating school – BBS THGS) from 5th – 9th April. On arrival we checked into various hotels, all
within easy reach of the school and the city. We had our welcome meeting and dinner in the Hotel Fürstenhof.
Day two was a Hardworking and Troubleshooting day. The coordinators outlined the programme of events for the week and gave everyone an update on the details
of the project. A lot of assembling and testing had to take place and at the same time the final arrangements were being made for the three presentations.
There was the greatest number of participants, of any of the trips, at this meeting but everyone had a task to do and was busy. The four Locomotives were
assembled as was the entire track, in a figure of 8. At the same time there were Internal Reviews going on in the Supporting Tasks (D) and with the EEM (C).
In the afternoon it was time to test and troubleshoot all the worklines. The Evening Flashlight was a surprisingly calm one considering the hectic activity
of the day and the problems that had inevitably arisen.
Day three in the morning was set aside for sightseeing in the Bad Kreuznach area. However, unlike other meetings, the group was split and while one group was
touring the other group was working and vice versa. This maximised the excellent workshop facilities which were at our disposal. In the afternoon we had work
closure in workline D and then concentrated our efforts on workline E entitled “The Last Mile”. This involved moving the track to the Gym Hall to reherse the
presentation as well as having the exchange of the Upper Parts.
Day four was our Premier Presentation Day. The morning time was spent troubleshooting and getting all the last-minute details in place. At this stage the electronic
students were working frantically to sort out the difficulties with the EEM. However, time and technical problems conspired to deny them the chance to have the
electronic map fully integrated with the project. In the afternoon the first presentation took place in the presence of the whole Train Family and special guests
form the school, the community and the press. This presentation went very well and was the first time that the students had the experience of organising and presenting
the project under pressure. After the presentation the track was dismantled and, along with the four locos and carriages, was packed for transporting to Brussels.
The day ended with the Premier Dinner in the Parkhotel Kurhaus.
Next morning we travelled by coach to Brussels for an overnight stay before the main presentation in the EU Parliament next day. There was some free time and a
chance for the Train Family to relax and be satisfied with a job well done. Next morning we made our way to the Parliament where there was a lot of excitement and
nervous energy among the Train Family. Security at the Parliament was tight and everyone was issued with entrance passes. We had all invited our MEPs to come and
view the project presentation. Everything was arranged and the track was rebuilt. The organising students had done a great job with the teachers taking a lesser role
by now. We were welcomed by Mr Rainer Wieland, Vice President of the European Parliament. Also in attendance was the head of the Comenius Program, Mr Joao Delgado. A
number of speeches by dignitaries took place including Christa Klaß, the German MEP who had invited the Train Family to the Parliament. After our esteemed Project
Coordinator, Heinz Wildgrube spoke, it was time to set the train in motion. Each school had three presenters, one to speak in their native language, one to speak in
English and one to place the carriage on the track. When the train was complete each locomotive pulled all the carriages for several laps of the track. This was greeted
with warm applause by all present and was the highlight of the entire project. After this each school met their own MEPs and presented them with specially commissioned
mugs.That afternoon, when the track was dismantled and packed away we departed for Luxembourg. We arrived at the Parc Hotel and had a welcome dinner.
Day seven was set aside for a sightseeing tour through Luxembourg by bus. First we stopped at the Vianden Castle which dates back to the 10th century and overlooks the
river Our. Next we visited the SEO hydroelectric power station. This is a pumped water storage plant and is used at times of peak demand. It has an output of over 1,000
Megawatts. After lunch we went to Rumelange mining museum. Here we saw train tracks and carriages in a variety of shapes and sizes. Then on to Remich Winery where we
were give an excellent guided tour and were invited to do some wine tasting. Finally it was back to the hotel for a well earned rest.
Day eight began with a walking tour of the beautiful and historic city of Luxembourg. We began at the city Promenade and ended at the Casemates. Then there was time
for some lunch in the city before going to the host school, Lycée Technique des Arts et Métiers. We were given a tour of the school before assembling in the auditorium
for a Plenum. This was to be our last meeting and there was a great sense of satisfaction and pride that everything had been so successful. That evening we gave the
train its last journey around the track for the Train Family, invited guests and the local and national press.
Our farewell dinner and party that evening was both a joyous and poignant occasion. We were all delighted that the Train for Europe – RELOADED project had been such
a great success but having met so many people and made friends over the two years, we were reluctant to say goodbye. However, next morning it was time for goodbye,
slán, au revoir, auf wiedersehen, zbogom, adjö, arrivederci, adeus, adijo, elveda, pozegnanie, bless, sudie, búcsú, näkemiin, farvel, vaarwel, zbohom & la revedere.
Thanks a lot to the meeting coordinators Martin and Heinz in Germany and Pol, Jean-Jaques and Michel in Luxembourg and all the other friends for the great organization.
They have managed this final project meeting in a perfect way for more than 250 participants arriving from countries all over Europe.
Feel free to have a look at our Presentations and also at the Minutes
of the meeting and the work groups in the Documents Section.
FIFTH PROJECT MEETING IN ST. PÖLTEN (AUSTRIA)
30th of January until 05th of February 2013
The fifth project meeting was organized by our partner school "Höhere Technische Bundeslehr- und Versuchsanstalt St. Pölten" in St. Pölten (Austria).
Have a look at the Meeting Agenda showing the main targets of the meeting:
SUMMARY OF THE MEETING
The fifth project meeting of T4EU-R took place in St. Polten, Austria. The host school, Höhere Technische Bundeslehr und Versuchsanstalt (HTL) was situated a
short walk from the hotel and close to the city. This helped to make the meeting one of the most efficient and productive. On arrival day we started with registration
and an opening meeting followed by dinner at the City Hotel.
On day two, the progress to date was outlined as well as the outcomes we hoped to achieve by the end of the week. This was our penultimate meeting and it was seen
as a very important one with the final meeting and presentation only three months away. We then had internal reviews in all the worklines with presentations of our
plans in the afternoon.
Day three was “Sightseeing and Troubleshooting Day”. We had guided tours of the HTL School and the city of St. Polten. In the afternoon we had troubleshooting sessions
in all the worklines. The Good Evening Flashlight that evening was important for bringing all the ideas together and informing the entire Train Family.
Day four was entitled Presentation and Discussion Day where all the proposals for the worklines were presented and discussed. There were lots of lively discussions
and the passion for the project was clearly evident. In the afternoon we outlined the further steps that needed to be taken so that our final meeting would be
successful.
Day five was Cultural Day with a guided city tour of Vienna. For the first-time visitor to this beautiful it was a rare treat and an informative experience. In
the afternoon we ate at the traditional Heuriger Restaurant. The timing of this day was perfect to allow the participants to discuss all the work that had been done
in a relaxed manner.
Day six was Company Visit and Closure Day beginning with a visit to the Voestalpine AG Company in Linz. This steel-making company provided a unique insight into
an area of engineering that we rarely get the chance to see. It was an enriching experience for all the participants and one that they will remember. That evening we
had our review and evaluation of the meeting followed by the farewell dinner. One of the highlights of that evening was the arrangements for the Upper Part Exchange
which was to take place at the final meeting.
Next morning we departed the host country which we will remember most for its friendly and efficient hosts, both at the Hotel and the HTL School.
All partner schools look back on a perfectly organized, efficient meeting and warm-hearted atmosphere in St. Pölten. Having the chance to get to know the culture
and the capital Vienna with its beautiful architecture and offering us an insight into steel production in Linz apart from the culinary variety of the
Austrian cuisine have been other highlights of the days in Austria.
After all our positive experiences we were able to make in St. Pölten we have to admit that it is great luck and a great joy to have the friends from St. Pölten
in our project as a reliable and cooperative partner and a wonderful host of our successful fifth project meeting. We all enjoyed an unforgettable week in St. Pölten.
Thanks a lot to the meeting coordinators Günter, Fritz, Bernd, Manfred and last but not least also to the headmaster Johann and all the other friends of the great
organization team in Austria. They managed this fifth project meeting in a perfect way for more than 120 participants arriving from countries all over Europe.
Feel free to have a look at our Presentations and also at the Minutes
of the meeting and the work groups in the Documents Section.
FOURTH PROJECT MEETING IN KUOPIO (FINLAND)
16th until 22nd of September 2012
The fourth project meeting was organized by our partner school "Savon ammattii - ja aikuisopisto" in Kuopio (Finland).
Have a look at the Meeting Agenda showing the main targets of the meeting:
SUMMARY OF THE MEETING
The fourth project meeting of the "Train for Europe – RELOADED" took place in Kuopio, Finland. The host school was the largest we had visited so far with 3,000
students. Being so large it was possible to have all the meetings there and eat lunch in the excellent canteen. The hotel, Kylpylä Hotelli Rauhalahti, was about
10 km from the town situated near a lake.
We did not have our usual welcome meeting and dinner because of the distances the participants had to travel and the various arrival times. However as everyone
was staying in the same hotel we were meeting old friends all afternoon and well into the night.
Day two was our welcome day with meeting details and project update. This took us up to lunchtime which was in the school canteen. The break for lunch was
one-and-a-quarter hours long and given that lunch was in the school the time was just right. The afternoon session was concerned with the Locomotives and
Wagon Components involving internal reviews. The work ended with Good Evening Flashlight followed by a cocktail party in place of the welcome dinner.
Day three was a hard working day and after the morning flashlight it was time to have internal reviews of Worklines C & D. After lunch we had plenary discussions
in all four worklines before the God Evening Flashlight.
Day four was our Cultural day which was “An Outing into the Wilderness”. We were taken to the Metsäkartano outdoor activities centre by coach where we spent the
day. The activities ranged from quiet meditation to winter curling, archery, crazy golf and boat racing. Lunch was provided at the centre. Before returning to
Kuopio we played a team game of relay nail-driving which was the perfect end to a brilliant day.
Day five was another hard working day with internal discussions in all four worklines. The evening flashlight that day was the most intense so far as lots of
important decisions had been made and the reasons had to be explained to the entire group. At this point it was decided to close Workline B as all the work had been
complete.
Day six was work closure day with further steps being outlined in Worklines A, C & D. A new workline was opened that afternoon Workline E entitled “The Last Mile”.
This was concerned with planning for the end of the project even though there were two more meetings left. The participants from workline B identified tasks in
the new workline E which they were happy to get involved with. That evening we did not take the usual 20 minute bus ride back to the hotel but instead we were
treated to a two hour boat trip through the lakes arriving back at the hotel in time for the farewell dinner. This meal consisted of traditional food hosted in a
wooden restaurant in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
Next morning we departed the host country which we will remember most for its forests and lakes. Many participants would never have travelled to Finland but for
an activity such as this. However many vowed to return at another time.
It was an exciting and hard-working week in one of the most Northern regions of Europe. Apart from discussions concerning the organization of our final meeting
in our new workline E, voting on our common logo and seeing the first loco run, there were many group work sessions, which had a very fruitful and effective atmosphere
and therefore profitable results for their further work. We have made a great step forward towards the final of our project.
Of course, there is a workload for the coming month either when finally designing the different parts or producing them on the machines, but nevertheless there is
no reason to have any doubts, that the next meeting in St. Pölten will not show great results.
Thanks also for organizing the Inventor and
MasterCAM workshops including the view to the
KOLIBRI CNC milling machine.
Furthermore, we would also like to say thank
you to our associated partners from the HEIDENHAIN company who again offered their support as the did with all the other meetings and help for the further steps of realizing
our project idea.
According to many participants, the meeting was not only a great success in terms of technical progress, but it was also the chance to have an insight into life
and living conditions in Finland. We think , that our day out with wilderness activities in the woods as well as the boat trip through the breathtaking scenery
will be unforgettable.
Let us congratulate Irja, Ilkka & Kari and all the others of the great Finish team who had organized the whole week for us in such a perfect way. They managed
this fourth project meeting in a perfect way for more than 100 participants arriving from countries all over Europe.
Feel free to have a look at our Presentations and also at the Minutes of the meeting and the work groups in the Documents Section.
THIRD PROJECT MEETING IN CELJE (SLOVENIA)
5th until 11th of March 2012
The third project meeting was organized by our partner school "Šolski Center Celje - Srednja Šola za Strojništvo, Mehatroniko in Medije" in Celje (Slovenia).
Have a look at the Meeting Agenda showing the main targets of the meeting:
SUMMARY OF THE MEETING
The third project meeting of the Train Family took place in Celje, Slovenia. We stayed in various hotels as no single hotel could accommodate the entire group.
Consequently all of our meetings took place in the host school, the Šolski Centre.
The initial welcome meeting and dinner was at the Hotel Storman. All hotels and the school were within easy reach of each other and were located near the town
centre.
Day two was a hard working day beginning with our usual Flashlight. The rest of the morning was taken up with presentations of our visions for the four Locomotives.
This was followed by plenary discussions until lunchtime. The break for lunch was one-and-a-half hours long and given our proximity to the town of Celje it proved
to be well measured. The afternoon session was concerned with the Wagon Components involving, again, presentations and a plenary session. The day ended with Good
Evening Flashlight.
Day three was another hard working day with the European Electronic Map taking up the entire morning. During this session the group was subdivided into the various
activities planned for the EEM. There was the Panel group and within it some students specialising on the electronics. Others were looking at the “jigsaw” aspect of
the panel. A further group was concerned with the design and manufacture of the Desk and Stand. A number of teachers acted as Supervisors for the entire EEM, which
was to prove a necessary role. After lunch there was time allocated to the Wagon Components and the Supporting Tasks before the Good Evening Flashlight.
Day four was for Culture and Sightseeing. We were taken to the Lipica Lipizzaner stud farm to see the whole story of the famous Lipica horse. We got to see the training
routines as well as seeing the horses in their stables. The interpretative centre had been renovated one year previous for a visit by the Queen of England who now owns
one of the horses. Our second stop was at the Postojna Cave which was probably the largest and most impressive show cave that the vast majority of the group had experienced.
We had to travel two kilometres into the cave to the start of the main viewing area, ironically, by miniature train. On our return to Celje we stopped off at Slovenia’s
capital, Ljubljana, for a couple of hours.
Day five was our Working Closure day which began with the final decisions on the Wagon Components. Afternoon was taken up with outlining the Further Steps and
Homework to be done in all four Worklines. This was a crucial stage of the project and consequentially the session did not end until 9.30pm. This tested the resolve
of all the participants but some good discussion was done and important decisions made.
Day six was a rest from the hard work as it was the Company Visit day. Both companies were close to the town and were good examples of the kind of work our students
might graduate to after school. The first was the EMO Orodjarna Company. Their main activity was the manufacture of vehicle body panels. The other company was
UNIOR ZRECE, which makes tools as well as carrying out engine component manufacturing for the automotive industry. An added bonus that day was a brief stop off at
Celje Castle where it was possible to see a panoramic view of the town and surrounding area. That evening we visited the Carthusian Monastery in Žice where we had
our farewell dinner in the traditional way of the Monks.
Next morning it was time to depart the host country where we had been looked after very well.
On behalf of all participants we would therefore again like to say thank you for all you have done to make the meeting in Slovenia an unforgettable event for
all members of the Train Family. The meeting has not only been organized in a perfect way when focusing on the working conditions in school, but even more as
we have all enjoyed the cultural events from the Lipizzaner horses to the dinner in the monastery. We are sure, that for many of us, this has not been the last
trip to your region and your beautiful country.
Thanks a lot to the meeting coordinator Denis and all friends from the great organisation team in Slovenia.
They managed this third project meeting in a perfect way for more than 150 participants arriving from countries all over Europe.
Feel free to have a look at our Presentations and also at the Minutes
of the meeting and the work groups in the Documents Section.
THE SECOND PROJECT MEETING IN LISBON (PORTUGAL)
5th until 11th of March 2012
The second project meeting was organized by our partner CENFIM in Lisbon (Portugal).
Have a look at the Meeting Agenda showing the main targets of the meeting:
SUMMARY OF THE MEETING
For the second project meeting the Train Family, as it was now affectionately known, travelled to Lisbon in Portugal. We stayed in the HF Fenix Hotel
where all of our meetings took place.
On the first evening we had a welcome meeting at which we recapped on the decisions made in Zagreb and the work done since. The agenda for the meeting
was outlined and dinner followed.
Day two was a hard working day with all partners working on the designs for the Wagon Components in Workline B. Lunch break was two hours long which allowed
enough time to walk to the many nearby restaurants. The afternoon session was concerned with the European Electronic Map (EEM) which was providing lots of
interesting discussion and divergent ideas. The working day ended at 8pm with the Evening Flashlight, followed by time for socialising and intercultural
dialogue.
Day three was our “Company Visit and Workshop Day”. Our first stop was at OGMA Aeronautics in Alverca. Because of the military nature of some of the work
being carried out, no photography was allowed. We had lunch at the coastal area of the city where we had time to take a seaside walk and marvel at the Vasco
da Gama Bridge. Then it was on to the host school CEFIM, where we had a tour of the workshops. Our associated industrial partner the HEIDENHAIN Company had set
up training workshops in the school where students and teachers could improve on their CNC knowledge. We travelled back to Lisbon at 6pm.
Day four was another hard working day which began as usual with a “Good Morning Flashlight”. Then the first of the work began in Workline A with the setting
up of the groups to design and manufacture the four Locomotives. Each of the four groups was give complete autonomy to develop their ideas within the framework
of the resolution. The next session saw the restructuring of Workline C (EEM) in order to subdivide the complex work envisaged of this component of the project.
The Good Evening Flashlight began that evening at 7pm and went on until 9pm by which time everyone was tired but satisfied with the progress made.
Day five saw the work closure with presentations and plenary discussions on the EEM followed by voting on the contentious aspects. After lunch, the next steps
to be taken in Worklines A, B & D were outlined. These further steps were in the form of “Homework” to be done by all partners in the time between the Lisbon
meeting and third meeting in Slovenia.
Day six was “Cultural Day” with guided tours of Lisbon City. We visited the “Four Quarters” with particular interest being shown in the historic Balém district
and the Castle of Sao Jorge. At midday we were given the option of returning to the hotel or browsing the city further. All took the latter option and spent some
time shopping and sightseeing in pleasant sunshine and 25 °C. The farewell dinner that evening was at the HF Fenix Hotel where we had been looked after very well.
Next morning we said goodbye to the other members of the Train Family and hoped to be selected to travel to the third project meeting in Celje, Slovenia so as to
renew our good friendships.
With this meeting we have again made a great leap forward. Due to your effort and dedication, a lot of ideas, visions and technical solutions
were brought into the different tasks and more and more very precise concepts were arising and keep growing.According to many people´s
convictions, the meeting in Lisbon was again a great success not only in technical matters but very much in terms of togetherness and the presence
of the “European Spirit”.
All this was first of all made possible by a brilliant meeting organization arranged for us by Jorge and all friends from the great organisation team
of CENFIM in Portugal. As the hotel itself as well as the “two days out” were perfect arrangements in a wonderful and sunny atmosphere. Those days gave
us an overall interesting insight into Portuguese lifestyle of today, tradition and history. So let us congratulate and say again with a big applause
“Thank you” to Jorge and his team from CENFIM, who made all this come true for again more than 150 participants arriving from all over Europe.
Furthermore, we are very grateful for the support of our associated partners from the HEIDENHAIN company. Especially in the name of the students, we
would like to say: “Christina and Thomas, you have done a perfect job in giving the students the support and help they needed”!
As important and probably difficult tasks are still waiting for us to be worked out, we are all looking forward to meeting the Train Family again
in Celje (Slovenia). Stay in contact and don´t forget to push forward our “Train for EUROPE - RELOADED"!
For more details on the meeting's organisation please feel free to have a look at our Presentations and at the Minutes
of the meeting and the work groups in our
Documents Section.
THE FIRST PROJECT MEETING IN ZAGREB (CROATIA)
The first project meeting was organized by our partner school "I.tehnička škola TESLA" in Zagreb (Croatia).
Have a look at the Meeting Agenda presenting the main targets of the meeting:
SUMMARY OF THE MEETING
Zagreb in November was cold and dry and for many of the students and teachers a change of climate. Most had never before been to this
beautiful city with its friendly people. We stayed in the Four Points Hotel where most of our meetings took place.
On the first evening we had a welcome meeting and dinner, and afterwards all partner schools were invited to introduce themselves and their
schools to the entire group. This was a pleasant and useful warm-up exercise which set the tone for the week ahead.
Day two started with an outline of the previous project, its similarities and differences to the current project. The first train and track
was assembled by students and displayed for all to see. We were honoured by a visit from the President of the Republic of Croatia,
Ivo Josipović who officially opened our new project, Train for Europe - RELOADED. Afterwards we had a two-and-a-half hour lunch break,
as we did each day, which initially seemed too long but in hindsight it allowed everyone to explore the city in a relaxed way. The afternoon
activity was concerned with the motto for the upper part of the wagons. This was to be a common motto which would be interpreted by each
partner school in a unique way and reflected in the design of their upper parts. The working day ended at 8pm with time for socialising and
intercultural dialogue.
Day three was entitled “Company Visit and Sightseeing Day”. We left Zagreb in a convoy of three coaches bound for the MAJ Shipyard at Rijeka,
a distance of 160km through beautiful countryside. The shipyard provided an unforgettable experience and represented engineering on a grand
scale. We were guided by employees of the company and got to see the all areas of the factory up-close. Shortly after leaving the shipyard
we stopped for a picnic lunch which had been prepared by the Croatian students. This was yet another example of the relaxed and friendly
hospitality which we were enjoying. Next stop was at Plitvice Lakes, where we got to see some of the stunning beauty that Croatia has to
offer and were lucky enough to be there for sunset. The peace was in stark contrast to the troubles experienced in the region exactly 20 years
previously. On our return journey we ate in a traditional restaurant at Turanj.
Day four was a hard working day which began at the more civilised time of 9am with a “Good Morning Flashlight”. This along with the evening
flashlight would become an important feature of our meetings at which an informal evaluation of the days’ work would be done. Three Worklines,
B, C & D were established that day to deal with the Wagon Components, European Electronic Map and Supporting tasks respectively. Workline A dealing
with the Locomotives would be initiated at the second meeting in Portugal. We proposed mottos, discussed them and voted the winner: “What We Have
Done To Connect People”.
Day five saw the work closure with all groups assigned tasks in the various Worklines. Some groups were made up of entire school groupings
while others were composed of individuals on the basis of personal interest. These groups can be seen in the Minutes page of the Documents
Section on the website.
Day six was “Cultural Day” with guided tours of Zagreb and Krapina Museum of Evolution. That evening saw a formal evaluation done by all
teachers and students at our last get-together. Later we had a farewell dinner with entertainment from a local band, some of whom were
graduates of the host school, 1. tehnicka škola TESLA. Next morning we bade goodbye to the many friends we had made during the week and
looked forward to our next meeting in Lisbon, Portugal.
Thanks a lot to the meeting coordinator Tatjana Antić, the headmaster Zoran Krivačić and all friends from the great organisation team in Croatia.
They managed this first project meeting in a perfect way for more than 150 participants arriving from countries all over Europe.
Thanks also to the Train Family for making this meeting an unforgettable week in the name of a common Europe. We all got a intensive impression
of European community and the spirit of togetherness. With all honesty, we can be very proud of what we all have experienced and achieved due
to our engagement. We are all looking forward to meeting the Train Family again during this COMENIUS School Partnerships adventure.
For more details on the meeting's organisation please feel free to have a look at the TESLA meeting web and also at our Presentations and the Minutes
of the meeting and the work groups.