The bildung climate school
A Holistic Approach to Education for a Sustainable Future
The Bildung Climate School is an innovative educational initiative that reimagines how we prepare young people for the challenges of a rapidly changing world. Rooted in the philosophy of holistic personal development, the program integrates vocational, academic, and artistic learning, providing students with a rich, immersive experience that fosters both individual growth and community engagement.
Our approach breaks traditional educational boundaries by bringing together students from MBO, HBO, and WO levels in a collaborative learning environment. This inclusive model promotes mutual respect and values diverse contributions, offering all students a platform to engage with real-world sustainability issues. The Bildung Climate School emphasizes critical thinking, emotional resilience, and collective responsibility, creating a space where students can build meaningful connections and develop a sense of purpose.
Co-Developer
ginie servant-Miklos
Institutions
University of Applied Sciences, rotterdam
Erasmus University Rotterdam
Albeda College MBO
Erasmus Trustfonds
NPRZ
NIVOZ
In addition to providing hands-on, interdisciplinary learning experiences, the Bildung Climate School is deeply committed to advancing research in education. We are developing one of the first systematic research programs globally focused on Bildung-inspired education.
This research is critical to ensuring that our pedagogical approaches are evidence-based, inclusive, and scalable. By collecting and analyzing data from pilot programs and ongoing courses, we continuously refine our educational methods and evaluate their impact on students’ mental well-being, socio-ecological resilience, and community-building.
Studies
We conducted studies on the working mechanisms and effectiveness of Moving Stories.
JMIR mental health
Tuijnman, A., Kleinjan, M., Olthof, M., Hoogendoorn, E., Granic, I., & Engels, R. C. (2022). A game-based school program for mental health literacy and stigma on depression (moving stories): Cluster randomized controlled trial. JMIR mental health, 9(8), e26615.
JMIR research protocols
Tuijnman, A., Kleinjan, M., Hoogendoorn, E., Granic, I., & Engels, R. C. (2019). A game-based school program for mental health literacy and stigma regarding depression (moving stories): protocol for a randomized controlled trial. JMIR research protocols, 8(3), e11255.
Our research and educational work aim to not only equip students with the knowledge and mindset to address sustainability challenges but also contribute to a broader transformation of the education system. As we expand the program, our goal is to share insights and best practices with other institutions, helping to reshape education for a future that prioritizes sustainability, inclusivity, and democratic values.
This research is critical to ensuring that our pedagogical approaches are evidence-based, inclusive, and scalable. By collecting and analyzing data from pilot programs and ongoing courses, we continuously refine our educational methods and evaluate their impact on students’ mental well-being, socio-ecological resilience, and community-building.
Read the articles about Bildung Climate School:
Dance Workshop with ICK Dans Amsterdam & How to deal with climate change challenges