Summary

Project carried out with 3rd-year secondary school students at IES Cardenal Cisneros in Alcalá de Henares. In biology class, they learn about the characteristics and functions of blood, how the public blood donation system works, and the need to increase the number of blood donors; in mathematics, they learn statistics by compiling statistics on donations in Alcalá over the last three years; in language, they learn to draft a press release and speak in public; in other subjects, they learn to produce outreach materials such as posters, videos, PowerPoint presentations on the importance of donating blood….

The community service consists of promoting the blood donation marathon, which takes place in spring at the Príncipe de Asturias Hospital in Alcalá de Henares (HUPA). To do so, they run an awareness campaign among the residents of Alcalá, sharing all the outreach materials they have produced through radio, the press, social media, poster campaigns, and awareness talks for firefighters, police officers, neighbourhood associations, adult education schools, the Official School of Languages, and the University of Alcalá.

As well as encouraging and energising the day of the blood donation marathon at HUPA.

Project classification

Implementation of Service-Learning projects, as proposals that specify, make visible and build alliances around the SDGs.

SDG 3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.

SDG 4. Ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.

SDG 17. Partnerships for the Goals.

Timeline

During the academic year, from October to May.

Self-assessment section

PLANNING What objectives were set in the project?

Develop students’ basic competencies by activating the exercise of all curriculum competencies, with an emphasis on social and civic competence, as well as personal initiative and autonomy.

Promote prosocial values and attitudes, encouraging effort, responsibility and solidarity commitment.

Strengthen psychosocial skills and the ability to participate positively in social life.

IMPACT What are the positive impacts of the project?

In the marathons held before they were promoted by students from educational centres, the average number of donors per day was 50 people. Since we have been promoting the marathon through Service-Learning projects, we have surpassed the historic record for donations in the public hospitals of the Community of Madrid: 310 people.

INNOVATION What are the most novel aspects? What challenge/problem is addressed?

These projects improve people’s living conditions, strengthen members’ sense of belonging to the community, and encourage citizen participation.
In this specific project, the need was to increase blood reserves in the HUPA blood bank.

METHODOLOGY What methodology was followed to implement it?

Learning within common curriculum subjects and linking learning to social action.

CONDITIONING FACTORS What conditions need to be in place for the project to be successfully replicated (in a similar context)?

Involvement of the entire educational community. Management and coordination with the local administration.

REPLICATE/SCALE/TRANSFER What elements should be considered to replicate the project in another Local Entity? What resources are needed?

It is necessary to coordinate with the reference hospital, the local administration and an educational centre willing to carry out the project. In most cases, these projects involve a symbolic financial cost.

STAKEHOLDER INVOLVEMENT Which local stakeholders have been involved in the project (citizens, third-sector organisations, private sector, academia, etc.)? How was this involvement achieved?

The following have been involved: IES Cardenal Cisneros in Alcalá de Henares, Príncipe de Asturias University Hospital, the Community of Madrid Transfusion Centre, Barabú Payasos, neighbourhood associations, police officers, the University of Alcalá, firefighters, adult education schools, the Official School of Languages, and the City Council Press Office. All this networking work has been promoted and organised by the Volunteer Pool of the Alcalá de Henares City Council.

INTERNAL COORDINATION How was the project coordinated internally within the Local Entity?

This project was approved by the school’s governing council, and all internal coordination took place between the teaching staff and the City Council of Alcalá’s volunteer pool; this is how the project was designed.

PARTNERSHIPS Were other institutions involved in achieving the set objectives?

Yes, all those mentioned above.

RESULTS/MEASUREMENT Have the project results been measured based on local indicators?

Yes, I have also described it above. Thanks to this educational project, we went from 50 donors at the blood donation marathon to breaking the historic record in Madrid’s public hospitals: 310 donations.

RELEVANCE What is the suitability of the objectives and results? Is there coherence between the objectives set and the results obtained?

Completely.

TRIPLE IMPACT: Is the project sustainable from an environmental, economic and social point of view?

Fully sustainable. There is no environmental impact that harms the environment, it has a very low financial cost, and it delivers significant social benefits.

OBSTACLES: What were the main obstacles encountered in all phases of the project?

Perhaps linking learning to curriculum subjects and organising the students’ working committees.

CONCLUSION. Project impact and usefulness.

I believe that, by reading all the previous questions, the social impact of Service-Learning projects is clear. The impact achieved with this project is fully tangible and visible.
It should be noted that Service-Learning projects can be carried out on different themes: environmental, cultural, social inclusion, healthy habits, historical heritage. So far, all the experiences carried out have had a very visible impact in the city.

Information section

FURTHER INFORMATION

Volunteer Pool Alcalá de Henares – YouTube. (Service-Learning projects in Alcalá de Henares can be viewed)
www.aprendizajeservicio.net
www.zerbikas.es