The project entitled European Collaboration on Radon Measurement (EURA) is based on the collaboration among four upper secondary schools from Bergen (Norway), Nichelino (Italy), Lund (Sweden) and Reykjavik (Iceland). Radon measurements in the partner countries is the research topic. Radon is an odorless, gaseous radioactive element that occurs naturally in earth and rock, well water and some building materials. Radon is the second cause of lung disease risk after cigarette smoking. From a social-cultural learning point of view, the project has several goals: a) Students will increase their learning through teamwork, hands-on practice, and they will acquire problem-solving skills. Theory will be better understood because it will be related to a concrete issue such as Radon emission and its influence on the population health. b) The project is interdisciplinary since it covers different subjects, namely Chemistry (atom and nucleus structure, atomic orbitals, radioactivity); Physics (radioactivity, instability of the atoms, radiation measurement); Geography (radon varies in relation to the geographical conformation of the ground and seasons); Economy (monitoring, prevention and health care); Technology and Research learning (TOF2, knowledge of new technology, learning scientific methods in research); Mathematics (statistical analysis of recorded data), Media and Communication (dissemination of results by information and communication technologies); Language, English will be the communication language and scientific English the language for reports and publications. c) The interdisciplinary nature of the project will require a close collaboration among teachers both nationally and internationally. It will be mandatory to establish solid structures and common frameworks for how to plan activities and assess students’ learning. New didactic protocols and assessment criteria will be developed. These protocols can be used in the school, and further developed after the end of the project, ensuring the project itself sustainability. d) The project will have scientific support from universities, and students will be in contact with research scientists. e) The project will require collaboration between schools and local authorities for radon measurement in public offices and places. Results will have a social impact in terms of information to the population. f) The project will acquire an academic relevance by the publication of the project outcomes in a peer reviewed journals. g) The students will acquire language expertise and develop collaborative skills. They will be in contact with different cultures. A good organization of the activities and a constant communication among the involved partners will ensure the project accomplishment.
The project entitled European Collaboration on Radon Measurement (EURA) started in October 2018 and born from the idea of monitoring radon gas in different parts of Europe. Radon gas (Rn) is a radioactive element that occurs naturally in earth and rock, well water and in some building materials. The gas combined with other factors such as pollution can increase the risk of disease in human body, therefore it is under the authority’s attention. Each country has general guidelines about the permissible concentration values of radioactive elements. Four upper secondary schools, Nordahl Grieg (Bergen, Norway), Erasmo da Rotterdam (Nichelino, Italy), Spyken (Lund, Sweden) and The Technical College (Reykjavik, Iceland) participated to EURA. The choice of partners was dictated by several factors such as technology degree applied to teaching and learning, development and implementation of research and practical methodologies in the school curriculum, technical facilities existing in the schools. All the schools have previously participated to international Erasmus Projects and have good connection with local universities and research institutions. The main participants were students and teachers directly involved in the project, while additional participants were students from other classes, regional municipalities and authorities, public offices supporting the project logistically for placement of radon dosimeters in different locations. Scientific support was provided by local universities and radon experts. The total amount of participants was approximately around 200 persons. The project had several goals, namely a comparative analysis of radon distribution in local regions of the four participating countries, didactical methodology exchange, implementation of research and technology in teaching to increase and promote learning among students, dissemination of the results. EURA has resulted in two intellectual outputs (O1-O2) covering descriptive procedures and methodology for theory teaching and experimentation, instructive videos edited by students, and a scientific article to be submitted to peer review, The project results are sustainable since methods and procedures can be easily performed and reproduced by other classes. The radon data collected in this project can be used as starting material for further statistical analysis. Materials and methods are available on Erasmus+ dissemination platform and on the project website. The project had a relevant social impact due to a close collaboration among the schools and the local communities. In fact, many private and public buildings have been monitored over one year’s period. Finally, local authorities and private persons have been informed and made aware about the registered radon values.