Light pollution today is a global problem, which is attributed to economic, astronomical, safety and health issues that affect humans and cause numerous adverse health effects.
All beings are dependent on natural body cycles called circadian rhythms and the production of melatonin, which are regulated by light and dark (e.g., day and night). We all live in areas where these rhythms have been disrupted because we are exposed to light all the time. While sleeping, melatonin production can be suppressed, which can lead to sleep disorders and other health problems such as increased headaches, worker fatigue, medically defined stress, some forms of obesity due to lack of sleep and increased anxiety. Students are not exempt from these side effects because of their obsession with modern gadgets that emit artificial blue light. In fact, they predominantly experience all the consequences of being exposed to too much light. Main objective of the project is raising awareness in teachers and students about the need to protect and preserve the environment, to protect the dark sky areas from light pollution and encourage sustainable environment protection.

Specific aims of the project are:

• encouraging initiative and entrepreneurship in students aiming at environment protection; empowering students to take action in order to protect the environment against light pollution by designing and producing solutions and tools for light pollution;

• empowering students with disabilities to actively participate in project activities;

• encouraging sustainability of the project activities aiming at protection against light pollution;

• protecting and preserving natural heritage – natural dark sky; promoting science, astronomy, ecology and entrepreneurship; deepen and broaden students’ knowledge and competencies in science;

• promoting inclusion and empowering students with disabilities;

• establishing strong ties with other European schools and sharing best practices with students from other countries;

• improving language and communication skills; greater intercultural awareness and improving soft social skills as the ability to listen to each other, express opinions, practice tolerance.

VET secondary school teachers and students (15 -19) who will participate in the project.

• sharing new knowledge and skills among teachers and students

• cooperation with international partners, establishing strong ties for future cooperation

• brochure on project activities and best practices including multilanguage glossary that can be used by other schools

• produced solutions against light pollution by students from VET schools

• encouraged surrounding settlements to adapt their public and industrial lighting to minimise light pollution

• well informed and environmentally conscious teachers and students who can cooperate with local authorities on management of dark sky parks and environmental issues in general

• gained knowledge and skills among teachers and students about light pollution and the ways to fight it

• glossary of terms in four languages

• adapted lighting around school

• contacted and threatening surrounding settlements to adapt their public and industrial lighting to minimize light pollution

• creation of a student-made barn door tracker – a useful tool in astrophotography

• established cooperation and understanding with local authorities

• confident and active student citizens in the field of health and environmental protection issues

• developed intellectual outputs