In many ways the 21st century has been a revolution in technology. We need to prepare all students for what is increasingly an innovation period. Almost everything we do or use is in some way connected to technology. Learning today is not about what you know but what you can do with what you know. The most important soft skills of the 21st century student are: critical thinking, creative thinking, communicating, and collaborating. These skills help students learn, and so they are vital to success in school and beyond. The countries involved in this project proposal are: Latvia (coordinator school), Estonia, Denmark and Iceland. The target group of the project is the primary level, when they are taught in a very creative and understandable way by using the newest technologies already at the elementary level. The age range of students is 11-15. All the schools in this project have in same ways, but different between countries, made technology a vital part of their education. We want to bring our students together and learn from each other. We see education of the future without borders. Communicating and collaboration between different countries plays a big part in this. This transnational strategic partnership is aimed at encouraging students to present their school, town and country; sharing and getting information and experience about different skills: science,new technologies, engineering, mathematics (STEM); improving students` skills, competences and career prospects; promoting the idea of European partnership; giving the opportunity to students to learn basics of European languages and improving students` and teachers` oral and written expression in English; increasing motivation and satisfaction in daily work. For this reason we have decided that teachers and/or contact persons will meet for having learning, teaching and training activities altogether in the field on which the host Country is more specialized. Each country is responsible for one main theme: Estonia - Science, Iceland - Technology, Latvia- Engineering, Denmark -Maths. That is also the main topic for the mobilities, when students are visiting other countries and work in teams, share and get experience for developing their skills. Between the mobilities there are other activities to work on improving and strengthen the knowledge in different subjects. The added value of these activities is the gaining in self-confidence getting deeper knowledge in languages, digital skills, Physics, Maths, Sciences, technologies, research methods, also improvement of teamwork, getting strengthened knowledge in STEM: Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths; developed skills in logical thinking, algorithmic thinking, critical thinking, creative thinking; broadening of European awareness; understanding the importance of foreign languages as a means of exchanging; getting experience by practical working like building the spaghetti bridge, measuring of high buildings during the mobilities, getting to know different birds, observing them and identifying by using tablets and apps., using maps and compasses in nature, etc. The learning, teaching and training activities will be carried out by specialized teachers working in the schools of the partnership . The host school coordinator will tutor the training session so that the activities can be interactive and learner-centered. Video and audio materials will be provided and produced so that the learning, teaching and training sessions can be shared in the schools of the partnership among all the teacher community. It will be an inclusive way of teaching and learning. The partnership will produce an intellectual output which will be disseminated in the European context thanks to a clear dissemination plan.
In many ways, the 21st century is a technological revolution. All of us, students and teachers alike, must constantly prepare for an always renewing period. Almost everything we do or use is somehow technology related. Learning today is not about what you know, but about what you can do with what you know. Main 21st Century skills include critical thinking, creative thinking, communication and collaboration. These skills help students learn, and are therefore essential to their success at school and beyond. The following countries were involved in this project: Latvia (coordinator school), Estonia, Denmark and Iceland. The project's target group was primary school level, where they are taught in a very creative and comprehensible way, using the latest technologies. The age range of the pupils in the project was 11-15 years. There were basic 18 pupils and several teachers from each school, but the number of participants in the host country during the mobility increased significantly because of interested students and assistants. The purpose of this transnational strategic partnership was to encourage students to present their school, city and country; exchange of information and experience and acquisition of different skills in STEM: science, technology, engineering, mathematics; improving students' skills, competences and career prospects; Promoting the idea of a European partnership; enabling students to learn the basics of European languages and improving the oral and written English language of pupils and their teachers; increasing motivation and satisfaction in daily work. For this reason, the project participants met for teaching and training activities in one of the areas of STEM where the host country is more specialized. Each country was responsible for one major theme: Estonia - science, Iceland - technology, Latvia - engineering, Denmark - math. It was also a key theme of mobility, with students visiting other countries and working in teams, sharing and gaining experience in developing their skills. Although each mobility was responsible for a specific area, the project provided knowledge in all STEM areas in every mobility. Among the mobility activities were other activities aimed at improving and consolidating knowledge in different subjects. Each of the participating institutions was very responsible in organizing the events and was responsible in the planning of the project activities, which promoted a pleasant and cohesive atmosphere throughout the project activities and trips. During each mobility, the students got to know the project participants by playing ice breaker games and teamwork, learning about their school, city, country, culture, traditions, visiting landmarks and museums in each country, but mainly improving their skills and competences through practice, e.g. green screen application in filmmaking, programming, radio electronics, microbit programming, Ozobots, Sphero and Osmo robots, Spaghetti bridges, Rube Goldberg machine, getting to know the real components of radioelectronics (resistors, transistors, logic circuits, diodes), 3D design and product creation, wind power, calculations, interaction between renewable energy and mathematics.Therefore, the added value of these activities was gaining self-confidence through deepening knowledge in languages, digital skills, physics, mathematics, science, technology, research methods, as well as improving teamwork through enhanced knowledge in STEM: science, technology, engineering, mathematics; skills in logical thinking, algorithmic thinking, critical thinking, creative thinking were developed; an expanded understanding of the European community; increased awareness of foreign languages as a means of exchange; gained experience through practical work such as building spaghetti bridges and wind turbines, learning about different birds, observing and identifying them, using tablets and applications, using maps and compasses in nature, and so on. The teaching and training activities were carried out by specialized teachers working in partnership schools. The activities were interactive and focused on the learner. There are many things to remember from the project - photos, 3D printed key rings, bookmarks and a calendar. Each participant has been gifted and appreciated, so this collaboration and communication continues. These facts are a clear indication of successful collaboration and bring joy to the project idea developers. The benefits of each school from this particular project are crucial - valuable international experience and improved professional skills for both teachers and students. It is also important to mention valuable events that allowed a large number of students to work and prove themselves and their desires to explore and cooperate. Effective and contemporary methods have raised students' awareness of complex areas and have developed an important process - a desire to explore and learn.