Förderverein Schul-Umwelt-Zentrum Mitte e.V.

About the association

The Förderverein Schul-Umwelt-Zentrum Mitte e.V. has been supporting the reform pedagogical concept of the Schul-Umwelt-Zentrum Mitte in Berlin since 2007 and promotes learning with all the senses (with "heart, head and hand") as the guiding principle of open-air biology work. The purpose of the association is to promote education (nature and environmental education) through experience- and action-oriented methods.

The Schul-Umwelt-Zentrum Mitte (SUZ) with its locations in the districts of Wedding and Tiergarten is a district-based environmental education "network of green learning places" with a total of almost 40,000 square meters of garden and landscape area. Every year, up to 30,000 children and young people make use of the environmental education and nature gardening opportunities at the three sites in the heart of Berlin. The main focus of the association's activities is the implementation and promotion of measures to support the work of the Schul-Umwelt-Zentrum Mitte. This includes, in particular, projects for pupils, students and adults outside the normal opening hours of the Central School Environment Center

Dietary patterns of young people with a lower socio-economic status and from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds often deviate from a healthy, environmentally friendly and plant-based diet.
One of the reasons for this is that the target group is rarely reached through nutrition education. The production of animal-based foods causes major greenhouse gas emissions (among other things due to the high land and energy requirements and greenhouse gas emissions of the animals) and is therefore partly responsible for man-made climate change.

The aim of the Hip-Hop & Food workshops (see below) is therefore to impart climate-friendly and healthy nutritional knowledge to young people, with a focus on a diet that is as plant-based and legume-rich as possible in line with the Planetary Health Diet .

In cooperation with the Förderverein des Schul-Umwelt-Zentrum Berlin Mitte and the KlimaFood project of the Europa-Universität Flensburg, a unique hip-hop & food workshop took place from 18 to 21 July 2013 under the direction of P. Denkhaus. The concept of the workshop is based on a modern approach to nutrition education, in which the principles of youth culture work and hip-hop pedagogy are combined. A total of 10 children and young people aged between 8 and 14 took part in the workshop over the four days, forming the hip-hop crew (W)Raps4Berlin, cooking together, exploring climate-friendly nutrition and recording their experiences and results in the rap song "Power Up". On the fourth day, a music video was made for this song.

During the workshop, the participants were informed about climate change and its direct connection to our diet. Learning about different types of pulses and their nutritional properties and preparation techniques played a central role. The highlight of the workshop was undoubtedly the video premiere of the specially created music video. Aspects of the workshop were taken up and the result was presented to friends and family members of the participants. Through the video, the content of the workshop was shared again and had an impact beyond the workshop days in the circles of family and friends.

As part of P. Denkhaus' doctorate in cooperation with KlimaFood , the approach will be further developed into a multiplier concept over the next three years and various materials will be produced so that the project approach can be used in as many institutions as possible.