This project aims to propagate an education system based on enquiry, experimentation, observation, and reasoning rather than on rote learning and the passing of examinations based on it. We want to popularize this method among a wider audience of educators, students, parents, and scientists; to spread its use to more countries, more schools, and more teachers; and to expose more children and more parents to learning using this methodology. This objective is based on the belief that our current primary and secondary education systems may no longer be fit for purpose for the rapidly changing world in which we live, and in a Europe that needs to create jobs, innovate, and become more socially and commercially entrepreneurial.The origins of the project are based on current Children’s University (FUD) practice which requires children to attend Universities or other venues to come face-to-face with the scientists and academics who provide lessons dealing with complex subjects in a simple way. We plan to overcome the limitations of this approach by creating training for teacher and exchange of good practices between the partner organizations to foster innovation. 1400 teachers will receive a product of these exchange in a form of innovative Teachers' Materials (Teachers' Boxes). They will also have an access to Teachers' Community of Practice to learn from each other and to stimulate their personal and professional development.The ultimate aim is to change the education system and produce more adults who are innovative and entrepreneurial. Since this isn’t possible to measure during the project we will measure the effect of the lessons amongst pupils, teachers, parents, and lesson contributors according to three criteria: Interest, Engagement, and Satisfaction. We expect significant improvement in all of these categories.
The InEdu project developed an effective collaboration between universities, primary schools and NGOs. Teacher’s training gave the opportunity to meet the representatives of these areas and made a space to discussion and exchange the good practices in field of education. The final version of toolkit (both - online materials and boxes) was prepared considering all perspectives and all challenges which appeared during these discussions. The participants were invited to four innovative transnational teacher training courses. Each of teacher’s training included 4 ways to approach to children’s education - motivational techniques, new technology, social inclusion and method. Although these 4 aspect were present during all meeting each teacher’s training had one dominant. All materials worked out during the project were sent to schools and gave to schools a new perspective of engaging children in inquiry-knowledge. Exchange of good practices were also interesting and enriching in the field of: management of international projects (management handbook) and finding the way how to implement the experience taken during the years in different international projects; information about educational systems in 4 partner countries (with emphasis on teacher education in the UK); the idea of "outdoor education" and visiting the venue where this kind of educational projects runs; activities focused on social inclusion of children at risk of been outside of the society; workshops about the Questions and Experiments Method; effective training concerning lesson plans for teachers and preparation of analogue and online tools for teachers and educators; presentation of the materials describing the activities for self-realization by children; During 2 years 36 unique learning mobilities for teachers and educators were organised. The goal for these meetings was to exchange good practices across Europe. Teacher’s training took place in 4 cities in 4 countries - Galway (Ireland), Bedforshire (UK), Vienna (Austria), Cracow (Poland). The result of this exchange of good practices was a toolkit, sent to 1400 teachers and educators. Each toolkit contained: a box (an analog set) was based on the Kamishibai theater motive (traditional Japanese art of storytelling using pictures). The main element of the set is a small stage, 4 graphics for the main window and 8 illustrations for side walls (the illustrations allows to mark the progress of the project). The set included also instructions for the teacher. Online materials were prepared in 3 language version (English, Polish, German) and put on www (https://fundacja.uniwersytetdzieci.pl/inedu-en/). The online materials are: * 4 nature lesson scenarios (with all materials needed to conduct the lessons - about 15 positions); * History of hedgehog Zoja/Spikey - a story combining a series of scenarios, * 8 inspirations to teachers and educators to create new activities, * summary information about hedgehogs; An on-line “Community of Practice” was established as a group at facebook and it’s still possible to collaborate and to learn from each other using this platform. “Community of Practice” is a group of teachers and educators eager to develop their competences in the field of modern education. The group gathers people who introduce new methods and new teaching tools in their everyday work with children. The teachers and educators, while working with pupils, use the educational toolkit created within the „InEdu” international project. Till this moment the “Community of Practice” has 40 members from different countries - https://web.facebook.com/groups/1819726334941194/