Visit to the S.P.E.R. of Dittaino (ENNA)

To better understand Goal 7 of Agenda 2030, “Affordable and clean energy”, on October the 30^th,we went to visit the S.P.E.R., a thermoelectric plant near Enna. It uses wood and wood wastes to produce electricity and it sells it to an electrical Company, the Terna, which distributes electricity to public bodies and private people. We understood how important is the production of clean energy reducing to the minimum wastes and pollution. We had the opportunity to understand the complete production cycle from the arrival of raw materials like wood and wood wastes to their burning till the use of hot water and steam. Steam is in fact turned into kinetic energy and then, by means of a generator, into electric energy. We visited the different areas of the plant from the supervising office to the heavy machinery used for the production. We discovered that it is a closed circuit since once steam is transformed into kinetic energy and then into electricity, it is turned again into water and a new cycle can start, reducing the consumption of water. We also understood the potential dangers of such a big plant. In fact, there are risks linked to the hot temperatures, to the raw materials, to chemical liquids used to purify water and to the machinery present in this industry.

Baking- Meeting with an agricultural producer and ancient seeds saver, sense analysis of bread.

We focused our attention on Goal 12 “Responsible Consumption and Production” in agriculture, as well as on Goal 4 “Quality Education”.We were engaged in three activities: 1. Backing; 2. Meeting with an agricultural producer and ancient seeds saver; 3. Sense analysis of bread.First of all with the teacher Mr Galati we prepared and cooked three types of bread: one type was made with soft wheat flour, one with durum wheat flour and the third type with flour of ancient wheats.The ancient flour wheat was that “Tumunia” offered by the producer.

While the bread was cooking, the Erasmus students and some other classes of the school met the farmer, who has a big farm with her sisters founded by their father, producing flour of ancient wheat such as Tuminia and Russello.She talked about the importance of producing products linked to the territory to maintain the biodiversity.Finally Silvia Turco led the “Laboratory of Sense Analysis of Bread”.She guided us to understand the most important steps in the analysis of bread, using our senses, sight, smell, touch and taste.It was a wonderful experience for all of us to propose to other groups of students too.

Visit to F.I.E.R.I.

We visited a factory in Catania called F.I.E.R.I. : the intercultural factory of eco-sustainable re-use. It is the first recycling sicilian centre set up by 13 associations and social cooperatives.

Mr. D’Amico, the responsible of F.I.E.R.I. , taught us the importance of recycling for the safeguard of the planet.There is an interwave between the artisanal knowledge of local people, and the talents of migrants welcomed in this factory. Migrants follow some workshops, technical and artistic training, local people bring items don’t use no longer and thanks to some volunteers, migrants make something news to be sold.

We learnt how to make soap using natural ingredients. We visit the labs and shop of tailors. An Italian volunteer is teaching how to create items used cloth samples. Our students learn how to create new objects from waste materials. The objects are sold in a distributions channel of unconventional economy with a self-produced brand.
Everybody is interested in understanding the chemical reactions of all the ingredients to make natural soap.