Tenerife Education Awards Celebrate Community Engagement Projects
The Insular Council of Tenerife and the University of La Laguna recently presented awards for outstanding projects within their “Service-Learning” educational programme, which involves over a thousand students. The ceremony took place at the Council’s main hall.
Among those present were Efraín Medina, the Councillor for Employment and Education, José Manuel García Fraga, Vice-Rector of Teaching, and María Gabino, Director of the Service-Learning programme.
Medina emphasised the programme’s potential to transform communities and foster active citizenship. He noted that these projects showcase the talent and dedication of both students and teachers, highlighting the importance of collaboration between institutions in promoting a more sustainable and supportive society.
Awards were given in two categories. The university category was won by the project “MANO-MAR: Active Perspective on Nature and the Ocean,” which included 105 students from the Degree in Pedagogy. In the non-university category, the prize went to the Solidarity School Craft Fair, involving 1,017 students from the Salesian School in La Orotava.
Additionally, several projects received commendations. In the non-university category, the “Intergenerational Link: Art Between Generations” project, developed with the Senior Citizens’ Home of the Most Holy Christ of La Laguna, was acknowledged. This involved five-year-old students from CEIP Camino Largo. The university recognition was awarded to “Following the Footprints of the Past: An Interpretative Route through La Laguna’s Paleontological Treasures,” which involved Biology students from ULL and IES Dr. Antonio González.
The “Service-Learning” initiative aims to raise awareness and promote this educational methodology in both university and non-university settings, supporting teachers and their students in implementing their projects. It seeks to train educators at primary, secondary, and vocational levels in this method, encouraging the development of Service-Learning projects in their schools.
