With wings towards knowledge – the angle – you see the world as it is!

In a time when the children spend more and more time in front of the screens, the educational project « Our winged friends », coordinated by Professor Viorica Butnaru from LT « A. Pushkin » in Ungheni, managed to restore nature to the center of the learning process and create a bridge between school, family. During several months (from November 2024 the project implementation began), their students and parents lived together unique experiences, rediscover the beauty of the birds and the importance of protecting them.

Through interactive activities, students have learned not only about biodiversity, but also about ecological responsibility and sustainable behaviors. « When I chose the subject of the project, we had as main purpose the development of students about the birds in the environment, their importance in the ecosystem and the need to protect them, » said Viorica Butnaru.

Family involvement
The activities were designed to involve the whole family: from recycling workshops and tree plantings, to artistic creations, meetings with writers and thematic competitions. The first activity brought together children, parents and grandparents to plant trees and promise that they will take care of them: « If you want to hear a bird, he plans a tree » – it was the generic that inspired this action.
For Cristina Pendus, a parent of a third-grade student, the project was a real revelation: « I had the time and pleasure to be witnessed at all activities. I was deeply surprised by the wings that the children offers through education, inspiration and constant support. » She compared the teacher’s activity with the care of a bird that teaches her chicks to fly: « Guiding them patiently and carefully, as the birds learn to fly, and you guide them daily on the path of knowledge. »

A true life lesson
The project was perceived by parents not only as a didactic activity, but as a true life lesson. « We returned to the school banks in time, we lived emotions and worries with the children, we sang together, we collected information and learned poems, » confessed Xenia Vatavu, mother from the class. She stressed that the involvement of the parents created a team spirit between the child and the adult: « The projects that Mrs. Viorica Butnaru carry out – they create confidence and love of beauty. »
The mentor of the project, Ana Golban, emphasized the ecological impact of the activities: « They become more aware of the importance of birds in the ecosystem, learning about their role in pollinating and controlling harmful insects. Observation and study of birds develops their empathy and the desire to protect them. » According to her, the project had the ability to model responsible behaviors and a healthy ecological attitude: « Children can be motivated to adopt friendly behaviors, such as recycling or planting trees. »
The activities culminated with a special festivity, organized by the International Bird Day, on April 1. During a thematic competition, the « sedentary birds » and « traveling birds » team presented a show full of creativity, music and good cheer. The students received diplomas of participation, and in the breaks between the evidence, videos with the previous activities were designed-the « projects of the project », as the coordinator called them.
Professor Viorica Butnaru does not stop here. Future plans include meetings with specialists, nature trips and educational visits: « I propose to maintain the project sustainability. I want students to apply the accumulated knowledge and become true environmental protectors. »
« Our winged friends » was not only an educational project, but a life and soul lesson. It was about listening to the voice of the birds, but also about learning to hear each other – with empathy, care and responsibility.