THE ART OF OLIVE GROWING IN THE NEW MILLENNIUM: A STORY OF INNOVATION
A journey through time with little explorers
Welcome to the Project Basic Learning "The Olive Cultivator: Ancient Wisdom and Innovation," an educational adventure that takes our young explorers on a fascinating journey through the history and evolution of the ancient profession of olive cultivation. In this extraordinary learning path, the students of 2nd grade class B at "Portella della Ginestra" Primary School in Vittoria (RG), Sicily, Italy, at the age of seven, will immerse themselves in the captivating world of olive groves, exploring the past and present of an art deeply rooted in tradition.
Imagine a group of curious children, eyes shining with anticipation, as they venture among the almost century-old olive trees in the school garden. Guided by experts in the field, these young explorers will have the unique opportunity to experience firsthand the ancient profession of olive cultivation, uncovering secrets passed down through generations.
Through visits to ancient and modern olive mills, the children will witness the transformation of the art of olive cultivation over time. In this educational journey, they will be immersed in the culture of olive oil, from the harvesting of precious olives to the production process in mills that blend tradition and technology. They will discern differences, similarities, and improvements in this enriching experience.
Join us on this captivating adventure, where the curiosity of the little ones merges with the wisdom of past generations, creating a bridge between the past and the present, illuminating the future of olive cultivation.
Cognitive adventure: exploring knowledge
Before immersing ourselves in the picturesque olive fields and ancient mills steeped in millennia-old stories, let's open the doors of imagination with an invigorating brainstorming session. The fresh thoughts of our young explorers are poised to soar into the sky of ideation, and our mission is to unveil what they already know about the fascinating profession of the olive cultivator. Seated in a semicircle on modern, innovative chairs, reassured by the promise of imminent adventures, we invite students to share insights, preliminary knowledge, and questions born out of curiosity.
- How many types of oil do you know?
- Where are these oils derived from?
- What are the names of the fruits from which these oils are obtained?
- Who produces these oils?
- Do you know which oil is the best and why?
- Who, where, and how do you imagine olive oil is made?
Let's digitally formulate these questions on each student's tablet connected to Mentimeter. Through this collective act of creativity, we lay the groundwork for a bridge between their initial vision and the extraordinary experience that awaits them.
Lights and Shadows in the Olive Universe: Clarity of Ideas, Production Mists in Our Survey
What clearly emerges from the survey is that children demonstrate a remarkable familiarity with a variety of oils, including Extra Virgin Olive Oil. However, it is equally clear that there are significant gaps in their knowledge regarding WHO is responsible for the production of this precious oil and the details of the processes involved in its development.
The survey unveils curious and intriguing perceptions: students are torn between establishing WHO makes oil: the mom from whom everything 'originates,' the supermarket, or the farmer.
The FIRST Training Seminar Transforming Students into Enlightened Olive Cultivators
The educational experience begins with Teacher and Agronomist Alessia Macca, offering students their first basic training. The students are enthusiastic and engaged in their inaugural training seminar, attentively following her lecture and taking notes to capture every detail. Excitement grows when they receive an invitation to become olive cultivators for a day. With smiles on their faces, they follow her into the olive grove, ready to immerse themselves in the age-old practices of olive cultivation and conclude the experience with a captivating visit to the mill to grind the olives and witness the oil-making process.
The laborious hand-picking of olives
Male and female students, armed with their education and knowledge of history and tradition, proudly don headscarves as a tribute to past practices. They head together to the school garden, equipped with sticks and fueled by the desire to experience the laborious hand-picking of olives. During this engaging experience, they relive the deeds of cultivators from a bygone era, connecting with the roots of our culture and appreciating the hard work that shaped the olive-growing tradition.Experiencing firsthand how demanding this profession can be has added a level of awareness and respect for the work of olive cultivators from the past. It was a moment of practical learning that left a lasting imprint on their minds, providing a deeper understanding of the heritage and significance of olive cultivation in our culture.
The effortless mechanical olive picking
After exploring manual olive picking, male and female students now engage in mechanical harvesting, preserving the charm of manual collection. The notable difference lies in efficiency: olives fall onto a large net strategically positioned under the tree, allowing easy collection through movements of the cloth and the formation of piles of olives. This approach results in significantly less strenuous work. However, there is still a manual step to be taken: the removal of numerous leaves, a task that requires attention and care to ensure the final quality of the harvest.
At the mill to complete the transformation process: from olives to oil
Having concluded the picking experience, male and female students are now gearing up to conclude the journey with an exciting visit to the mill. This moment goes beyond the mere extraction of oil; it is a journey through all stages of the processing process. Aboard a bus kindly provided by the Municipality of Vittoria, we headed to the mill, ready to uncover the secrets that transform our olives into a precious golden nectar.
Arriving at the mill, we immersed ourselves in the intense atmosphere of aromas and scents. The steps following the harvest became a synchronized dance between sophisticated machinery and the ancient art of olive oil production. The students, captivated, could closely observe the transformation of olives into extra virgin olive oil, understanding the dedication and mastery this process demands.
It was an educational and sensory journey, combining direct contact with the land and traditions with the allure of modern technologies. An experience that expanded the students' knowledge not only about olive cultivation but also about the precious cultural heritage of the Vittoria community. And so, with enriched hearts and minds, the journey heads towards its conclusion, leaving behind a deep connection between the past and present, between the age-old art of harvesting and modern oil production.
Snacks and treats, but how about some bread and oil?
With the freshly prepared oil, the students dive into a unique sensory experience. Spread on fresh bread, the oil reveals its aromatic character and rich flavor, capturing the students' senses. The sensory experience amplifies when guided by curiosity, students pair it with oregano and salt, exploring the taste nuances that emerge from the combination of these simple ingredients.
The tasting takes on a further transformation when the oil becomes the main ingredient in an extraordinary sweet variant. Accompanied by a layer of sugar, the oil produced from the harvest and processing becomes the star of a delightful dessert that delights the students' palates. It's a moment where tradition merges with creativity, revealing extra virgin olive oil not only as a condiment but also as the protagonist of new taste experiences.
Everyone's work is like a piece of a puzzle
The cooperative learning strategy "Jigsaw" played a fundamental role in this project, actively involving each student in the class. Together, they selected aspects of the topic to delve into, subsequently distributing the responsibility to explore and research a specific aspect to each group member. Later, students met with members of other groups exploring the same aspect, sharing information and collaborating to synthesize the material into a single document. This document became the main text of this webpage and significantly contributed to the overall work of the other groups. Each aspect examined represents an individual puzzle piece. Thanks to the collective effort of everyone, these pieces come together to create the complete puzzle, representing the comprehensive and detailed narrative of the entire experience.
The adopted teaching strategy is based on an experiential and multisensory approach aimed at actively engaging students in the learning process. Here are some key elements of the strategy:
Practical Experience: Students are actively involved in the manual harvesting of olives, the processing at the mill, and the tasting of the oil, providing them with a practical and tangible experience.
Sensory Involvement: The oil tasting engages students' senses, providing them with a multisensory experience that includes touch, taste, and smell.
Connection with Tradition: Visiting the mills and participating in age-old practices such as manual olive harvesting allow students to connect with the tradition and history of olive cultivation.
Technology Integration: The use of tablets with Mentimeter to formulate stimulating questions during the journey adds a technological element, encouraging active student participation.
Creative Approach: Creating an extraordinary dessert with oil as the main ingredient demonstrates a creative and innovative approach to using extra virgin olive oil.
In summary, the strategy aims to transform learning into an engaging experience, allowing students to connect with the content in a meaningful way through practical and sensory experiences.
The research was not easy, but we succeeded
The students, committed to the task with dedication, individually engage in the research of assigned information. Some focus on finding documents and photographs related to olive mills, others gather images and information on harvesting techniques, while others dedicate themselves to collecting information on the organoleptic characteristics of oils, comparing how they were in the past and how they are today.
The teacher, actively participating in the process, joins the students in the same research, acknowledging any difficulties they might encounter. Additionally, the teacher is considering the opportunity to accompany the students on a visit to the city's Civic Museum to further enrich their experience with historical and cultural resources. This approach demonstrates a shared commitment to ensuring comprehensive and in-depth learning.
Sharing our documents is already a success
The students enriched our project by bringing photographs depicting the ancient profession of the olive cultivator, the stages of harvesting, and various types of mills. Having experienced it firsthand, they researched information on different olive harvesting techniques, comparing the entire oil production process. Although too young to have direct experience with oil from the past, they shared interesting insights from their research. According to the students, current oil is considered superior due to studies and technology, which have significantly improved the production process.
The olive picking, an ancient family practice, has undergone significant evolution over time. In the past, this activity involved the use of ladders and canes, often entrusted to men for the beating and to women in the community for the collection. Today, the landscape has changed radically, thanks to the introduction of mechanical harvesters and shaking machines. These modern tools not only simplify the work but also safeguard the quality of the olives, avoiding mistreatment and preserving their integrity to ensure excellent quality oil.
From stone milling to controlled-temperature pressing for superior product quality
The ancient practice of olive milling, initially performed in stone mills, has undergone a remarkable evolutionary path. Over time, technology has advanced, leading to the introduction of press mills, and finally to sophisticated modern machines that allow oil extraction with carefully controlled temperatures. This evolution has marked a significant turning point in olive oil production, ensuring superior quality. Modern technologies not only optimize oil extraction but also preserve its sensory and nutritional characteristics. The resulting oil is not only better in terms of taste but also ensures health benefits for those who use it, contributing to the overall well-being of consumers.
From donkeys to environmentally friendly mechanical means
A crucial aspect in the evolution of the olive grower's profession is represented by progress in transportation, marking a significant shift from the use of animals to mechanical means. This transformation has not only optimized logistical efficiency, allowing for faster and more efficient olive transport, but has also reduced physical strain and increased crop management capacity. The introduction of mechanical means in transportation is therefore a fundamental piece in the overall evolution of the profession, enhancing its sustainability and productivity. Certainly, from an environmental perspective, ancient means of transportation were more sustainable, but the transition to modern mechanical means has brought significant improvements. Today, considerable efforts are being made to make current transportation methods more eco-friendly and sustainable. This reflects a growing commitment in the industry towards agricultural practices that respect the environment, effectively balancing technological evolution with ecological responsibility.
Eco-friendly and recycled materials for modern containers
The tools used in olive cultivation have undergone a significant evolutionary path, transitioning from eco-friendly materials like woven cane baskets (cruveddi) to modern plastic containers such as crates and bins. This evolution not only reflects the availability of new materials and technologies but also the need to adapt to the requirements and challenges of the contemporary agricultural context. While traditional materials were more ecologically sustainable, the introduction of modern solutions suggests a mindful response to the needs of efficiency and practicality while emphasizing growing environmental awareness through the adoption of recyclable and sustainable materials.
Transformation, innovation, and sustainability for a better quality of life
Concluding "Making Professions Sustainable for the Future - Sustainable Innovators," it can be stated that the olive grower's profession has undergone significant evolution through the adoption of advanced technologies in different periods. Currently, the techniques and methods employed are significantly superior, thanks to technological control of processes, implementation of more rigorous hygiene practices, and accurate management of oil parameters, crucial for consumer health. The olive grower is no longer just a farmer but emerges as a knowledgeable and skilled specialist, whose role is crucial in the production of high-quality olive oil. This advancement reflects the continuous commitment to sustainability and innovation in the sector, positioning the olive grower as a genuine sustainable innovator in the landscape of agricultural professions.
Sharing to boost one's self-esteem
Students share the results with the educational community, prioritizing students from other classes who have had similar experiences to foster a broader understanding and obtain thoughtful feedback. Additionally, the documented work on the webpage has been shared with parents, providing them with the opportunity to discuss the documentation with their children, the protagonists of this educational experience.
Participants in the school conference, composed of students from other classes who have concurrently followed our journey, will have the opportunity to provide their feedback through a questionnaire created with Google Forms. The questionnaire will be accessible via a QR code, easily scannable (located here on the side). Responses to the questions will be collected using emoticons, serving as a visual expression of appreciation or otherwise. The targeted selection of student recipients will enable us to obtain informed and comprehensive feedback on our documentation and insights, providing a unique opportunity to fully assess the impact of our work.
The Google Forms have been structured collaboratively by the teacher with the students, as well as the QR code
I want to express my deep gratitude to all those who have contributed to the success of this project:
The students, true artisans of our journey, who with dedication and commitment captured special moments with photos and videos, bringing to life the precious documentation of our Project-Based Learning (PBL).
To the extraordinary colleagues, Alessia Macca and Giovanni Mannelli, who guided us on this journey with professionalism, patience, and expertise.
To the kindness of the 'Maraviglioso' Mill at the Mediterranean Oil Mill, which opened its doors and generously allowed us to observe the stages of olive processing until obtaining the oil, we extend our heartfelt thanks.
To the Ferruzzi family, who generously authorized the use of family photos, a heartfelt thank you. A special thanks also goes to the Virgadavola family for allowing the use of photos already published in the book 'Il Canto del Carretto' 1st Edition 1996 and other publications, enriching our project with a visual heritage of invaluable historical value. They also hosted us, among other things, at the Civic Museum of Peasant Art.
A heartfelt thanks to the families of the students who supported their children in retrieving historical images of olive beating, contributing to weaving an authentic connection with past eras.
To the Municipality of Vittoria, which provided us with the school bus to reach the olive mill, facilitating our journey and allowing us to have a complete and immersive experience.
To Artificial Intelligence (AI), which, through SOUNDFULL, generated royalty-free authorized tracks for our documentation. These compositions added an unmistakable touch of harmony and creativity to our work, making them unique and characteristic for us.
A special thanks to the Headmistress, Daniela Mercante, who, with a proactive vision and trust, supported this educational proposal based on the values of tradition, culture, health, and sustainability, in line with the goals of the 2030 agenda.
I express sincere thanks to Maria Angela Agati, my colleague, and to myself, for accepting this challenge with determination and perseverance and for successfully completing it together with our extraordinary students.
Thanks everyone for making this educational journey possible, where the past and the present intertwine in a meaningful and formative experience for all.
...and it always ends up with a game
The project, completed according to the scheduled deadline in the 'Transform Learning' PBL journey, doesn't truly end here. The students became deeply passionate, and two of them proposed the idea of creating a game, inspired by 'Snakes and Ladders' and 'Monopoly,' incorporating questions and verbally assertive rules. Therefore, we leave with a question: will it be a tabletop board game or a digital game?