Learning natural sciences is becoming unpopular, pupils’ interest in these subjects and their motivation study natural sciences are low (PISA 2015). The main problem is that teaching is very often not connected with everyday life and lessons are too theoretical. Students are seldom in nature and cannot observe nature and manage in nature should an unexpected situation take place. Non-formal learning and the usage of ICT equipment give possibilities to enrich and enliven the earning process while also introducing innovative approaches while teaching natural sciences. The combination of the aspects mentioned above support the increase of students’ motivation and thereby also the success of lessons. The aim of the project is to make use of different teaching methods used at schools, also outside of schools, at the same time pay attention to European culture, peculiarities of nature, traditions and history in cooperation of teachers and students from four schools from four European countries. The unifying storyline used in this project is based on a book “The Story of an Old House”. This project also aims to keep and to generate interest in learning natural sciences by teaching pupils how to notice nature and its aspects around them through interactive activities in lessons and in outdoor learning. The goal of the project is to give pupils theoretical knowledge and practical skills to equip them to manage in nature and to broaden pupils’ knowledge and understanding of nature. The wider aim of the project is to popularize natural sciences because there is a worldwide need for natural, technical and exact science specialists in future.Participants from every partner country in this project are the following: 10 teachers and students from forms 5. - 8. (students from multilingual families, students with special needs); 2 colleagues from schools’ management are also expected to participate. If necessary, participation is also offered to other interested parties, including interested parties from outside of these schools.Duration of the project Sept 2016 - Aug 2018. The activities of the project are fine-tuned to cater pupils’ needs and include non-formal learning and international cooperation. The project values students` and teachers` interactive cooperation and work in the learning process, in preparing outdoor learning trips, lessons and training courses, compiling learning materials. The fascinating aspects of nature can be learned only when pupils spend time in nature and observe it. One important aspect of this project is also the fact that the prepared training courses and lessons do not concentrate on only one subject, but they combine various subjects at school. In this project we intend to make use of innovative learning methodologies and to improve teaching methods, being a "job shadow". The usage of the book allows us to facilitate multicultural dialogue. In order to make that happen, the idea is to translate the book into different languages and to base the lessons on it. Further to that, the aim is to dramatize and film the lessons based on the book, which will then be uploaded to project`s webpage. In the cooperation of different schools, all developed and used work-files and sheets are compiled into a web-based “Cleverly in Nature” study guide. This collection is based on active learning methodology that makes use of modern ICT tools, is beneficial in learning process. It takes into account the specifics of nature and teaching nature sciences in different countries. New practical and theoretical experiences gained through international cooperation are priceless in future teaching work, in improving teaching quality and the reputation of schools. Non-formal leaning methods and the use of innovative methods and ICT devices improve students’ skills to think, widen their mind set and also help to motivate students to learn natural sciences as their toolbox to understand nature is wider. International cooperation helps to exchange teaching experiences, materials, and best practices, supporting the improvement in teaching integrated natural sciences at schools. Comparing, studying and getting inspiration from syllabuses used in different countries, also learning the differences in the educational systems and teaching methods used in various countries allow us to better plan and update everyday teaching and study plans. The long- term impact of the project can be summarized as follows: new methodologies and technical possibilities will be used by teachers in their everyday classes, this will increase pupils’ motivation to study natural sciences as the material taught at schools is directly connected to everyday life. All in all, the popularity of these subjects among pupils will increase. International cooperation helps to reinforce existing contacts between the project participants via communication and cooperation during and also after the duration of the project.
The project was initiated by the issue that studying natural sciences has become unpopular and students have not been very eager and motivated to study the mentioned subjects. The aim of the project activities was to link classroom studies with everyday life focusing more on practical studies and less on theoretical side. As a result of such non-formal learning and the usage of digital devices students have got closer to nature. In today`s modern society the use of ICT is out of the question, there is a great need for using it in all the fields. Another aim of the project was learning about each other`s teaching methodologies through European culture, natural diversity, traditions and history. International cooperation was enhanced in both levels - teachers´ and students´. All project partners arranged different activities inside and outside the school in nature. To gain the better cooperation and merging the book “The Story of an Old House” was taken as the basis of project activities. The mentioned book encouraged all the students of partner countries to care and love nature more. The main objective of the project was to give students theoretical knowledge and practical skills for living in nature in harmony. The broader objective was to popularize natural sciences as there is still a constant need for good naturalists in the world. In addition to Estonian project group there were partner schools from Italy, Spain and Turkey. Big cultural and historical differences between the partner countries made the project work for students attractive and captivating. The students enjoyed immensely exchanging postcards of nature and sights. Due to the project all the teachers are now able to prepare and plan lessons in natural environment and field trips into nature as well as historical sights. It is significant to mention that through the project the nature studies were mostly carried out in nature. Nature studies were integrated with Math and Physics and English was used as a communication language between the partners. During the job shadowing experience in January 2018 all the partners observed the lessons and teaching-learning process in Italy. The partners benefitted from the experience greatly. The main focus was on teaching the students with special needs. Several good ideas were acquired during this teaching-training activity that could be implemented in home schools. Italian teachers could have their job shadowing experience in the coordinating school in Estonia. It was focused on outside studying. In June 2018 the Italian teachers were demonstrated how the overall school`s sports day and the days of natural sciences were arranged and carried out.