Abstract
In the present work, a “hands-on” cultural heritage educational approach is presented,
developed in the framework of EUROMED Heritage IV project ELAICH “Educational linkage
approach in cultural heritage”. Its main aim was raising awareness among youth on the importance of
built heritage protection. The project aimed to explain the meaning of cultural heritage and the
necessity to preserve it through realisation of long and short courses to various countries in the
Mediterranean Basin targeted to high - schools students, interconnecting secondary with tertiary level
education. Athens Experimental Course, organised by National Technical University of Athens,
constituted important testing ground for teaching methods proposed, as well as for the other Courses
following, used as an “experiment” towards the development of the educational methodology. Athens
Course had 21 high school students as recipients, originating from 3 different Greek public schools. Its
main innovations were its interdisciplinary character and the application of a “hands - on cultural
heritage” approach, which gave the opportunity to students to experience themselves in instrumental
and non - destructive techniques through laboratory exercises performed at tertiary education, industrial
and monument level laboratories, as well as scientific visits and in situ field campaigns at selected
monuments and archaeological sites. Τhe developed educational approach comprised consideration of
structural, materials’, architectural-artistic-aesthetic issues along with environmental parameters and
perception of cultural heritage, leading to integrated diagnosis, which permits planning of efficient and
compatible materials and techniques to tackle decay problems, as well as environmental management
performed for the protection of monuments. These are followed by evaluation of effectiveness,
compatibility and quality control of conservation and restoration materials, permitting strategic
planning for sustainable preservation and scientific support to decision making. According to the
evaluation, the Course proved to be a valuable experience for participating students, which shall be
further exploited.
developed in the framework of EUROMED Heritage IV project ELAICH “Educational linkage
approach in cultural heritage”. Its main aim was raising awareness among youth on the importance of
built heritage protection. The project aimed to explain the meaning of cultural heritage and the
necessity to preserve it through realisation of long and short courses to various countries in the
Mediterranean Basin targeted to high - schools students, interconnecting secondary with tertiary level
education. Athens Experimental Course, organised by National Technical University of Athens,
constituted important testing ground for teaching methods proposed, as well as for the other Courses
following, used as an “experiment” towards the development of the educational methodology. Athens
Course had 21 high school students as recipients, originating from 3 different Greek public schools. Its
main innovations were its interdisciplinary character and the application of a “hands - on cultural
heritage” approach, which gave the opportunity to students to experience themselves in instrumental
and non - destructive techniques through laboratory exercises performed at tertiary education, industrial
and monument level laboratories, as well as scientific visits and in situ field campaigns at selected
monuments and archaeological sites. Τhe developed educational approach comprised consideration of
structural, materials’, architectural-artistic-aesthetic issues along with environmental parameters and
perception of cultural heritage, leading to integrated diagnosis, which permits planning of efficient and
compatible materials and techniques to tackle decay problems, as well as environmental management
performed for the protection of monuments. These are followed by evaluation of effectiveness,
compatibility and quality control of conservation and restoration materials, permitting strategic
planning for sustainable preservation and scientific support to decision making. According to the
evaluation, the Course proved to be a valuable experience for participating students, which shall be
further exploited.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Title of host publication | 6th International Congress Science and Technology for the Safeguard of Cultural Heritage in the Mediterranean Basin |
| Place of Publication | Athens, Greece |
| Pages | 326-334 |
| Volume | 3 |
| State | Published - 2013 |
| Externally published | Yes |