As a starter, studio class days were organized to provide students with the possibility of investigating into various fields and aspects of project work and Erasmus+ (e.g. finding connections, definitions and derivations) together with discussing project work related terms, definitions, principles and benefits. Furthermore, awareness for skills and competences was raised due to the fact that the PERFECT project with its genuine and unique structure of international, multi-level cooperation resulting in the creation of a cultural project featuring a carefully chosen local celebrity aims at fostering the occurrence and/or the further development of important competences within the learners, such as:

• cultural awareness as well as expression competence
• citizenship competence
• digital competence (especially through IT-and multi-media use)
• entrepreneurship
• personal competence
• social competence
• learning competence   

At the beginning we started discussing various possible personalities with the students from the two Science classes initially involved in the project, using a variety of didactic methods in order to foster creativity and imagination (e.g.  Brainstorming, De Bonos Thinking Hats, Walt Disney Method, World Café, Placemat, Advance Organizer).

In a kick-off input session the students heard about important aspects of Archduke Johann’s  life, then the students were given some time for research on our protagonist.

In groups the teenagers from 5^th and 7^th grades elaborated on various topics related to Archduke Johann, like for instance the Habsburg family, his childhood and youth, education and schooling, occupations, interest for innovation and change in various areas such as agriculture and farming, steel production, higher education as well as his relationship with Anna Plochl. Within their groups they could agree upon a learning product of their own choice for the presentation of their findings to their peers. In the course of the presentation periods it turned out that the majority had decided upon a power point presentation since they obviously like working with the computer and IT in general.   As a follow up activity and to directly plunge into action, students were assigned the task of investigating into our school’s neighbouring areas to find out about changes throughout the centuries. Of course, they were allowed to find team members and choose the areas themselves. The students were thrilled to realize how the different areas have been shaped by shops and/or cafes closing down and opening again and by the foundation and construction of the FH Joanneum. One group were especially excited about being given a guided tour through the new Science Tower of our Smart City, the most modern part in our neighbourhood and finding out about the tower’s exceptionally beautiful roof garden. All changes discovered were depicted in community maps which were presented to all participants.