Report of day 1:

The first day of the meeting in St. Pölten started with a welcoming session at 9:00 am. The participants were greeted by Mr. Martin Pfeffel the headmaster of the HTL St. Pölten, who provided an introduction to the event. This session served to establish the objectives of the meeting, set expectations, and create a welcoming atmosphere for all attendees. Following this, we facilitated a session on “Kick-In Forms,” aimed at encouraging interaction among participants and fostering a sense of community.

At 10:00 am, the students from Austria introduced their school, and gave the other students a short tour of the HTL. This visit was designed to provide participants with insights into the local educational environment and to observe teaching methodologies and student engagement strategies. The visit was informative, offering a practical perspective on education in the region.

A break followed at 11:00 am, providing attendees an opportunity to network and reflect on the morning’s activities.

At 11:30 am, a workshop focused on the “Bikefriendly School” initiative took place. The main objective of this session was to identify actionable steps that could be implemented in participants’ respective schools to promote cycling as a sustainable mode of transport. Discussions centered around infrastructural requirements, awareness campaigns, and strategies to encourage student participation. The interactive nature of the workshop allowed for the exchange of valuable ideas and experiences.

Lunch was scheduled at 12:30 pm in the Mensa, providing a relaxed environment for further informal discussions and networking.

The afternoon session began at 1:30 pm with presentations on results and discussions regarding the best measures for promoting sustainable practices in schools. The preparation of presentations involved refining key points, ensuring clarity in communication, and addressing possible challenges. Special attention was given to defining roles within the groups to enhance teamwork and productivity.

Following this, from 2:15 pm to 3:00 pm, participants focused on defining speakers for the presentations and conducting initial training. This exercise was instrumental in building confidence and ensuring that the presenters were well-prepared to deliver their insights effectively.

A brief break at 3:00 pm allowed participants to regroup and prepare for the final session of the day.

The concluding session, from 3:15 pm to 4:30 pm, involved presenting the finalized AirScouts, AirScout-Manuals, and AirScout-Classroom-Measurements. Johannes led this session, emphasizing the practical applications and outcomes of the AirScout initiatives. This segment not only highlighted achievements but also identified areas for further development.

Overall, the first day was marked by productive discussions, insightful observations, and effective planning, setting a positive tone for the rest of the meeting in St. Pölten.