In our project we will develop new strategies and a new methodology combining maths and science with drama, art and physical activities and create synergies between different fields of education adapting the STEM learning to what the students are really interested in.
How is possible to raise the interest for maths and science (STEM subjects) among our students?
In our project schools from Estonia, Latvia, Finland, Norway, Germany, Spain and Greece will develop new strategies and a new methodology combining maths and science with eg. drama, art and physical activities and create synergies between different fields of education adapting the STEM learning to what the students are really interested in.
In order to obtain this we have to empower our teachers. We will enable them to think new thoughts, to think out of the books and out of the box. In turn this will benefit our students. During our project we will develop new material for all to use, but equally important is the methodology behind.
We will use a new definition of the STEAM acronym in this work: S - search, T- think, E - experience, A - activ learning and M -motivation. The teachers will learn to work using this strategy / methodology which is also in line with the "21st century skills" - critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration and communication.
We have started to learn to know the partnerschools and experienced their enthusiasm for STEM education and we see that there are "more than one road leading to Rome". We see that we have a lot to learn from each other, and the knowledge and experience of the others fit into the gaps we want to fill at our own school. The results we will get from this project would not be attained by activities carried out in just a single country.
Each school will develop a plan / curriculum for STEM education, putting together the "pieces" from their own school with the new knowledge from the others. Thus we will make something together, inspired by one another. The main part of the plan will be the same at each school. But there are differences, and not everything can be adapted as a blueprint to all schools. But the thought behind, the methodology, can be adapted in each school. There's a spin off effect here as well: Seeing how others adapt our ideas can bring new ideas to the origin school.
At the level of curricula, teaching methods and student assessment, the TWG (above) emphasizes the need to teach science appreciation and science in context. This is what we do in our project. Through our new methodology we put away the "classical" way of teaching each subject as such, often telling the facts and giving the students the answers before they want to know or see the "problem". To many students this is boring as they often are active and curious youngsters. Our interpretation of "in context" is to see STEM subjects in connection with other subjects and different approaches by giving the students the opportunity to explore and find out for themselves in stead of being told the answers to questions they have not asked.
STEM subjects are all around, banded together to other subjects and other approaches, they are not just some theoretical "stuff" found in a book. This is a student active approach, but under the surveillance of the teacher, motivating and inspiring the students with the new knowledge from colleagues from all over Europe. Even more motivating for the students is the fact that students in six other schools all over Europe are working with the same issues. During the project they will have the possibility to exchange their experiences and results by talking to one another and working together on the net.
Our new knowledge will benefit our students, and they will also work / study according to our new definition of the STEAM acronym. In turn the teachers at our neighbouring schools will benefit from our project and teachers looking for inspiration on our web site, and their students.
Examples of instruments: Workshop with Edison robots; Workshop: Online realtime collaboration tools; outdoor learning
In all partnerschools aprox 50 (300 total) students are involved into project. We have online conferences and discussions, also simultaneous online projects and competitions.
STEM subjects are all around, banded together to other subjects and other approaches, they are not just some theoretical "stuff" found in a book. This is a student active approach, but under the surveillance of the teacher, motivating and inspiring the students with the new knowledge from colleagues from all over Europe. Even more motivating for the students is the fact that students in six other schools all over Europe are working with the same issues. During the project they will have the possibility to exchange their experiences and results by talking to one another and working together on the net.
