Κατηγορία: Extra Curricular Activities

The educational visit offered all participants a rich and comprehensive learning experience, since it combined the scientific, historical, cultural and athletic learning outcomes, as well as the development of social skills and cooperation, in accordance with the teaching objectives of the official syllabus for this grade.

The students departed Athens on February 05 (departure 07:05 and arrival 08:55). After landing in Zurich, we departed for the capital of Switzerland, Bern, where we were guided through the city sights. This was followed by a visit to Albert Einstein’s house, one of the greatest scientists’ of the 20th century. The tour at Bern resulted in an introduction to the history and culture of the capital of Switzerland, whose historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In particular, the visit to Einstein’s house inspired our students and contributed to the understanding of Einstein’s influence on the Science and History of the 20th century. Then we departed for Geneva, where we dined at a local restaurant and ended up at our hotel for the night.

The next day (06/02/2025) after breakfast, we departed for CERN, one of the largest High Energy Research Centers in the world, where science evolves constantly, while cutting-edge technologies are applied with direct results in our daily lives. The students of our School had the opportunity to participate in various activities, such as guided tours, interactive science applications and lectures by distinguished Greek scientists and other CERN collaborators. At this point, we would like to thank everyone who collaborated and helped achieving the educational goals of visiting the Research Center, especially Mr. Dionysios Tsekouras and Ioannis Papafilippou. Mr. Tsekouras is an employee of the financial/management service of CERN and has undertaken, as a contact person, the entire organization of the tours of the Research Center. Mr. Papafilippou is the leader of a large group of researchers at CERN Accelerators and gave a speech to the students. Indicatively, we mention that students were informed about scientific research, discoveries and modern technologies, while they understood the value of cooperation among scientists from many countries, to achieve common goals.

On Friday morning 07/02, we visited the Red Cross Museum, where the students toured the premises and realized the value of voluntary service and social responsibility in the global community. They were also sensitized to issues such as the protection of civilians and wounded prisoners of war. They reflected on issues such as individual responsibility and each person’s ability to offer, when and where needed. In the afternoon followed an excursion to the French city of Annecy, where we walked along the banks of the picturesque water canals and were guided to sights and monuments of historical, cultural and architectural interest.

On Saturday, 08/02, we visited the city of Lausanne and the Olympic Games Museum, a place of exceptional importance with a strong Greek aura that moved us all and filled us with joy. The children realized the value of the Olympic ideals, the solidarity and equal treatment of all, regardless of race, religion, gender or culture, which contributes to the fight against social prejudices. They understood the values ​​of cooperation, fair play and respect for diversity.

Then, we visited the Chocolate Factory, Maison Cailer, in the city of Broc. Through a virtual tour, we were introduced to the history of chocolate, from the discovery of cocoa by the Mayas and Aztecs, to the modern chocolate industry. We watched the chocolate production process, from the harvest of cocoa to the final product packaging. We also had the opportunity to taste and buy chocolates and souvenirs from the factory shop.

Finally, we visited the picturesque towns of Bebe and Montreux, where the children walked along the lakeside and admired the sights. Late in the afternoon, we returned to our hotel in Geneva, after a day full of experiences, where dinner followed.

On Sunday morning, 09/02, we walked around the old town of Geneva and visited the Cathedral of St. Pierre. We then departed for Zurich, where there was time for sightseeing and lunch, before taking the return flight to Athens.

The completion of our trip left us all with a feeling of satisfaction from an excellent excursion that combined experiential knowledge with visiting several cities in Switzerland.

We warmly thank the Happy Days travel agency, for the organization, our leader and tour guide Mr. George Tsilogeorgis and our bus driver in Switzerland, Alejandro, for the help and support throughout the trip.

The teachers:

Margarita Toulatou, Ioannis Vamvakas, Christos Kanavis, George Katsinis, Smaragda Belte, George Sarlas

Representative moments of the trip

 

 

 

 

   

 

 

The educational trip of the 2nd grade of Evangeliκι Model High School of Smyrna, within the framework of the teaching objectives of the comprehensive curriculum, which took place from 05/03/2025 to 09/03/2025 with destinations Dublin, Belfast and London, had a multidimensional positive impact on the students, covering both cognitive and social goals. The educational visits combined historical, cultural, scientific and environmental learning with the development of social skills, offering the participating students valuable knowledge and unforgettable moments.

Day 1 – Arrival and Tour of Dublin

The educational trip began with an early departure from Athens and a smooth transition via Zurich to Dublin.

The first tour of Dublin was through the picturesque alleys of the Temple Bar area, followed by a tour of Trinity College with the famous Book of Kells.

The visit to Trinity College and the Book of Kells introduced students to medieval history and the art of bookbinding. Discovering the role of writing and manuscripts in preserving knowledge enhanced their appreciation of cultural heritage.

Day 2 – Belfast Exploration

The visit to Titanic Belfast impressed the students, while the organization into two groups for the In-Ovo clinic and the Game of Thrones Studios ensured the smooth flow of the educational field trip program.

The interactive tour of the Titanic Belfast helped students understand the historical context of the famous ship, as well as the socioeconomic conditions of that era.

   

At the In-Ovo IVF clinic of advanced research technologies, students had the opportunity to a) be informed about the latest scientific developments in medical technology in the field of IVF, b) become familiar with the practical application of research results through their experiential involvement in medical laboratories, c) develop motivation for a professional career / studies in the health sector.

     

For many students, visiting the Game of Thrones Studios was a particularly engaging experience, as it combined entertainment with an understanding of film production.

Day 3 – Crumlin Road Gaol

The tour of Crumlin Road Gaol added an interesting historical dimension to the trip, highlighting issues of justice, human rights and the political history of Northern Ireland.

 

 

During the afternoon tour of Belfast, the students had the opportunity to meet with the Consul of Greece in Belfast, Mr. Argyropoulos.

   

Day 4 – Exploring Northern Ireland

The excursion to the landscapes of Northern Ireland was one of the most impressive experiences of the trip. Sights such as Carrickfergus, Dark Hedges and Giants’ Causeway offered unique images and excited the students.

Day 5 – London and back

The use of the waiting time in London was particularly interesting. The students visited iconic sites such as the Tower of London, had a short cruise along the Thames, reaching Big Ben and Westminster Abbey. The tour continued to Camden Market for food and shopping.

The Natural History Museum impressed the students with its dinosaur, anthropology and environmental science exhibitions. The museum sparked discussions about biodiversity and evolution, enhancing their interest in natural history. The tour of London concluded with a short walk to Piccadilly Circus with its giant screens and the Eros statue.

The educational trip to Dublin, Belfast and London had multiple benefits for the students. It combined historical, scientific and cultural education with personal development and socialization. This experience will be unforgettable, not only because of the impressive locations, but also because of the knowledge and memories they gained.

Special thanks to the Graduate of the Evangeliki School of Smyrna, Mr. Diakos, who hosted the students at the In-Ovo IVF clinic. As a sign of honor and joy for the time he dedicated to transferring knowledge and guiding the students in research issues in the field of Medicine, the Director of the School, Ms. Laskaridou, sent him an honorary thanking plaque.

Finally, we would like to thank the Atlantis Travel Agency and especially the tour guide, Mr. Benardout, as he contributed significantly to the success of the trip with his excellent organization and the many quality benefits of the travel package.

The Leader of the Educational Trip: Argyri Panagiota, Mathematician, Vice Principal of Evangeliki Model High School of Smyrna

The Accompanying Teachers:

Mr. Tzelepis Alkiviadis, Mathematician

Mr. Brinos Panagiotis, Mathematician

Mr. Kollias Sotirios, Religious Education teacher

Ms. Kyriakou Vasiliki, English Language teacher

 

On Monday, February 17, 2025, our third grade school students of the Health Department visited the Medical School of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, accompanied by their teachers, Dr. Chrysi Angelidou and Dr. Katerína Ntakou, the latter of whom organized the visit.

The students first toured the Anthropological Museum of the Medical School, which was founded in 1886 and is one of the oldest human museums in Europe. There, the museum curator guided them through time, presenting the museum paleoanthropological collections, which include a significant number of casts of findings from around the world, covering all phases of human evolutionary history and the phylogenetic history of hominids over the past five million years. They also explored the museum prehistoric collections, presenting various phases of Greek and European prehistory, and were introduced to the Egyptian mummies housed in the museum.

Next, the students visited the Museum of Pathological Anatomy, located in a specially designed area of the First Laboratory of Pathological Anatomy of the Medical School. The museum houses the historical Rokitansky collection, which has been continuously enriched since the 19th century with a large number of pathological specimens. A doctor guided the students through the museum, presenting some of the most representative specimens and sharing the stories behind them.

The tour continued in the Medical Simulation Center of the Laboratory of Medical Physics, where students were introduced to advanced medical education methods using virtual reality techniques. This center provides modern and specialized training services with the help of simulators and innovative teaching methods. As if they were real laparoscopic trainees, the students attempted to stop a patient’s bleeding using the simulator.

The visit concluded with a tour of the Anatomy Museum, which houses more than 800 specimens, including 60 exhibits showcasing congenital anomalies in human and animal embryos. Among the most striking exhibits were the skeletons of a giant and an achondroplastic dwarf.

In addition to the scheduled visit, the students were in for a surprise. They had the honor of meeting Professor Konstantinos Moraitis, head of the Forensic Anthropology Unit, which belongs to the Laboratory of Forensic Medicine and Toxicology. The professor welcomed the students to the only fully equipped forensic anthropology lab in Greece, where examinations of human remains and skeletal material are conducted. The unit specialized personnel provide analysis and identification services for skeletal material in intact, fragmented, or cremated forms. The students were particularly excited to learn that the unit contributes to forensic casework, enabling the examination of skeletal injuries in cases of violent deaths. Professor Moraitis took the time to discuss with the students and answer their questions.

The students left the Medical School feeling satisfied and inspired, having gained new knowledge and valuable stimuli for further exploration and research. Special thanks to all those involved in making this educational visit possible.

 

On Monday 10 February 2025 the participants in the Biology Club and the teacher in charge Dr. Dakou Katerina had the happiness and honour to receive the Molecular Biologist Dr. Michailidis Ioannis, Biology teacher in the Experimental School of the University of Athens.

Dr. Michailidis presented to the students the new technologies that contribute to the prevention as well as the in-time diagnosis of illnesses and to the focused treatment and cure of them. With the invited speaker’s contribution, the students understood the determinative role of the science of Biology in the progress of Medicine and appreciated the value of Basic Research. In the discussion that followed, the students’ participation was very active.

In the meeting also participated the Club of Health Sciences of Evangeliki Model Secondary School of Smyrna, under the supervision of Mr. Diamantis Panteleimon, in the framework of frequent and fruitful collaboration between the school clubs.

We deeply thank Dr. Michailidis and hope for our future collaboration and further meetings.

On Thursday 13/02/2025 in the Reception Hall of Evangeliki Model High School of Smyrna we had the happiness and honour to receive the invited speaker Mr. Evangelos Konstantinou, Social Psychologist (MSc), Psychoanalytic Psychotherapist, Scienific Coordinator of the Centre of Addictions’ Prevention HELIOS. Mr. Konstantinou talked about “Adolescent aggressiveness: how to prevent and face it”.

Mr. Konstantinou, in the beginning of his speech, mentioned that adolescent aggressiveness is a complicated psychosocial phenomenon that troubles parents, teachers and psychic health specialists. It has to do with the demonstration of verbal, physical or psychological violence that may occur in the family, school or social environment. Adolescents’ aggressiveness may be due to: Family factors (e.g. misfuctioning relationships, lack of communication), School factors (e.g. bullying, competition), Social influences (e.g. violent role models on the mass media, peer pressure), Psychological factors (e.g. low self-esteem, lack of self-control).

Prevention plays a primordial role and it includes: Reinforcement of the family bonds through essential communication and a positive parental model. When aggressive behaviour appears, what is needed is: Collaboration between parents, teachers and psychic health specialists for a complete approach.

An interesting dialogue with the attending parents and teachers followed, who shared with the invited speaker views and concerns regarding the prevention of this difficult issue.

We deeply thank Mr. Konstantinou for his to-the-point and useful pieces of advice and we hope that we will be honoured to receive him again in the future to benefit from his rich experience and receive assistance in our pedagogical work.