The students of the third grade of Kythera High School returned from Crete with absolute success and rich experiences in their luggage. The multi-day educational visit was the culmination of the environmental education programme entitled «Water, Fire and Wind in the Age of Climate Crisis».

The project, which was in progress from December 2025, had as its central axis the study of the impacts of climate change on the island of Kythera and the wider Eastern Mediterranean region.

The Journey and the Mission's Actions

Despite the adverse weather conditions, which led to the cancellation of the planned visits to the archaeological site of Knossos and the Gorge of the Mills, the educational mission carried out a full and meaningful journey. The students were accompanied by the Director of the school, Mrs. Stavroula Facea, and the teachers Mr. Nikos Teliopoulos (special education) and Mrs. Dimitra Haliamalia (parallel support).

The highlights of the tour included:

Botanical Garden of Crete & Artificial Lake of Agia: Observation of the biodiversity of various ecosystems, study of wetlands and extensive discussion on the impacts of the climate crisis.
Spili Rethymnon & Agios Vasileiou CCI: Participation in three specific actions, with emphasis on the need for protection and sustainable management of water resources.
Science and Research (Heraklion): Visit to the CretAquarium of Crete to understand marine biodiversity and the risks of marine pollution. This was followed by a visit to the Natural History Museum of the University of Crete, where the students attended a special programme on Climate Crisis, toured the exhibitions and participated in an earthquake simulation in the special laboratory.
History and Culture: Tour of the Venetian Harbour of Chania, the Archaeological Museum of Heraklion and the historic Arkadi Monastery.

Accommodation and Entertainment

The children's experience was not limited to the purely educational part. The stay took place at the Creta Palm Resort Hotel, where the students were accommodated in comfortable triple and quadruple rooms, enjoying rich meals. Of course, a trip to the island could not be booked without the local colour: the children had the opportunity to party to authentic Cretan music and dance in an evening full of fun and joy.

The Power of Cooperation and Thanksgiving

The coordinating team of the project (the Director, Mrs. Fatsea, the Deputy Director Mrs. M. Miligaki, and the teachers Mr. N. Teliopoulos and Mr. D. Haliamalia) expressed their sincere thanks to all those who contributed to the implementation of the project:

To the staff of KEPEA Ag.Vassiliou, Kostas Trikalis, Violeta Papadakis and Christiana Marangelis, for the planning of the creative activities.
Dr. Iamou Stathis (responsible for educational programs) and Mr. Panagiotis Georgiotis Georgantis (Biologist-Museum Educator) from the Natural History Museum.
To the President and the members of the Board of Directors of the Parents and Guardians Association for their unconditional support.
To the parent Mr. Michalis Kalligeros for his mediation, which secured a sponsorship of 3,000 euros from the shipowner Mr. N. Martinos.

The school's management concluded by thanking the parents of the third grade for their trust, proving that when the educational community works together, the results leave an indelible imprint on the lives of the students.

See more:
https://gym-kythir.att.sch.gr/2026/04/ekpaideytiki-episkepsi-stin-kriti/