The TRACE National Conference in Greece took place on 26 September 2026, hosted by the Department of Geology and Geoenvironment of the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (NKUA). Approximately 65 participants attended the conference, mainly primary and secondary school teachers, educators, and school administrators.
The event featured a series of presentations focused on climate change and its impacts on landscapes, the use of borehole records for reconstructing past environments and climates, and the application of GIS and drone technologies in landscape mapping and environmental monitoring. Participants were also introduced to a newly approved experiential laboratory activity for schools, focusing on flash flood processes and their impacts.
In addition to the presentations, the conference included four hands-on laboratory sessions demonstrating innovative educational tools that can be integrated into primary, secondary, and tertiary education. These included interactive StoryMaps, virtual reality (VR) experiences, a stream table for simulating fluvial processes, and a physical model illustrating sea-level rise and coastal inundation scenarios. Through direct participation, attendees explored practical ways of teaching complex environmental and climate-related concepts in an engaging and accessible manner.
The conference highlighted the significant potential of the educational resources developed within the TRACE project to support climate change education across different educational levels. By combining scientific knowledge with interactive and experiential learning methods, these resources can help learners better understand the causes and consequences of climate change and its effects on terrestrial environments.
For geography teachers in particular, the materials provide innovative teaching approaches that encourage active learning, critical thinking, and environmental awareness. The TRACE educational resources therefore represent a valuable contribution to geography education and to a deeper understanding of contemporary climate challenges.
