Ahead of Earth Day, from April 13–17, a series of events on the topic “Climate Challenges and Air Pollution” were held for school students in the communities of Vedi, Hovtashat, Musaler, Chambarak, and Araks. The events were organized within the framework of the “Leadership Week” open activities of the Teach For Armenia program.
The objectives of the events were to:
· develop participants’ leadership competencies in the context of understanding and addressing climate issues
· foster a sense of responsibility, initiative, and teamwork skills through collaborative activities
· build decision-making capacity aimed at protecting the community and the environment
In particular, the activities carried out in Araks community were presented by physics teacher Roza Karapetyan.
In Araks, an event titled “Save the Climate, Ensure a Clean Future” was conducted. “The event was built on active participation, and its key feature was that students acted not only as participants in discussions but also as initiators of real actions,” Roza Karapetyan noted.
The students took part in a tree-planting activity. “During the tree planting, students began to clearly understand why trees are important in absorbing carbon dioxide and purifying the air, and they directly connected this knowledge with their actions. This experience fostered a mindset of ‘I can make an impact,’ which is essential for developing responsible behavior,” the teacher wrote.
In addition, students conducted interviews with community residents to assess their level of awareness about air pollution and climate change. They analyzed the collected data, identifying attitudes among different social groups. This process helped develop their communication skills, social awareness, and research abilities.
The students also cleaned their surroundings, which helped them better understand the issue of environmental pollution caused by household waste and see the immediate results of their own contribution. “This experience contributed to valuing work, building team responsibility, and understanding that small actions can have visible impacts.”
“…After the event, one of the most valuable outcomes I observed was not only the knowledge gained but also the internal changes that began to form among the students. In their statements and proposals, it was clear that initiative and readiness to act had developed. They were no longer limited to discussions but were thinking about next steps. In this sense, the event ‘planted’ a foundation of activity and responsibility that can develop over time.
It is especially important that the students independently identified their next step - organizing a waste sorting process in the village. Although this initiative may seem small at first glance, it carries significant potential for change.
This process fully confirms the idea that every change begins with the individual. When a student begins to perceive themselves as an agent of action rather than merely an observer, a mindset is formed that can lead to real social change.
I particularly value that a system of values was formed in which care for nature, social responsibility, and cooperation prevail. Students began to more clearly understand their connection to the environment and their role in its protection,” Roza Karapetyan noted.
April 28, 2026 at 13:15