*Context: STEAM encourages students to develop and apply solutions to real challenges facing the world. Occupations in STEM-related careers are some of the fastest growing and best paid of the 21st century, and they often have the greatest potential for job growth. Building a solid STEM foundation through a well-rounded curriculum is the best way to ensure that students are exposed to math, science, and technology throughout their educational career. Students are extremely curious and impressionable, so instilling an interest at an early age could spark a lasting desire to pursue a career in any of these fields. Project supports students' involvement in learning and offers a pedagogical approach where teachers will become mentors of creativity. Inclusion of Forensic science in the curriculum will foster interdisciplinary explorations of science in curriculum. Because forensic science is an emerging interdisciplinary field, it can be included in chemistry, physics, biology, math, art, environmental sciences, technology and engineering. *The objectives of the project: -Innovative interdisciplinary approach of learning Forensic science based on real problems -Implementing innovative practices in education and use of open educational resources and new technologies -Reinforce the centrality of the student as part of a training process, boost motivation to learn, the ability to build its own learning&training path, the sense of responsibility with respect to the future path -Stimulate interest in students towards a knowledge proposed by experimenting, with forms of learning on the job in real situations -Develop skills of self-orientation and train students to think critically and independently about the big picture of Forensic science and the challenges it creates *Number and profile of participants: All of the organization partners in this Partnership are experienced in the field of teaching STEAM subjects and they will contribute to a great extent for the realization of the proposal. There is total number of about 24 key persons that will be included with working assignment and in training activities. *Activities There is total number of about 60 students and 24 teachers from the five partner schools that will be included in the student exchanges and activities. 1.selection of students and teachers involved in the activities, quality assurance, budget control and time management, contracting with host families, risk management, archiving, reporting to the NA and EU 2. Three LTTA with students 5. Two training events for teachers- creation of lesson plans for non-formal education and creation of Handbook 6.self evaluation instruments 7.dissemination activities (within the institutions involved in the project, in other institutions, public events and mass media coverage, publications and online dissemination). *Methodology 1.months 1-2 (establishment of a communication between partners) 2.months 2- (online meeting 1 - selection and preparation of participants, specific rules) 3.months 8, 14, 19 (students exchanges) 4.month 3, 23 (training event with teachers) 5.months 16 - after (follow up phase with direct activities with the target groups) 6.month 13 - after (dissemination phase with previously defined activities in a dissemination plan) 7.months 20-24 (completion of the project with specific tasks of each partner in the sustainability period, reinforcing the partnership and inviting new partners) *Results Results of the project are collaboratively designed set of INNOVATIVE ACTIVITIES in the field of Forensic science. The project exchanges pedagogical methods and best practices through school visits and the exchange of ideas and lessons. Materials and handbook will be available so they can be adopted and applied by other teachers. *Impact 1.Impact on participants: -Developed capacity to productively engage in STEAM learning activities -Increased knowledge about the importance of applying science in everyday life and learning through the innovative approach -Increased level of use of ICT-based methodologies for STEAM learning and providing more attractive form of Forensic science -Confidence, motivation and enthusiasm for Forensic education 2.Impact on target groups: -21st century competencies -Increased problem-solving skills -Engagement, interest, enjoyment and achievement in STEAM subjects and Forensic science The potential long-term benefits This project will be beneficial experience for all participants to experience how to be a part of multicultural team. 1.new innovative approach to teaching and learning STEAM and Forensic science 2.implementation of the handbook in the curricular and extra-curricular activities 3.new partnerships and projects to further enhance the results of this project
STEAM encourages students to develop and apply solutions to the challenges and problems facing the modern world. STEM-related occupations are the fastest growing and best paid in the 21st century. They also often have the greatest impact on the growth of lucrative jobs. Building a solid STEM foundation through a well-crafted curriculum is the best way to ensure students are exposed to science, maths, learning and technology throughout their education. Students are extremely curious about the modern world and sensitive to what is around them. So sparking an interest at such a young age can spark a desire in them to pursue a career after they finish their education in any STEAM field. Our project supports students' engagement in learning and offers a pedagogical approach in which teachers will become mentors of creativity, guides. Integrating forensic science into science curricula certainly fosters interdisciplinary research and stimulates interest in learning these subjects. Forensic science is an emerging interdisciplinary field. Elements of: chemistry, physics, biology, mathematics, art, environmental science, technology and engineering can be seen in it. Project objectives: - Innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to STEAM and science education. - To implement innovative practices in science education and make use of open educational resources and new technologies. - to strengthen the role of students as active participants in the learning process, to increase their motivation to learn, to develop in them the ability to build their own learning path and self-development, commitment, as well as a sense of responsibility for their future. - strengthening and stimulating pupils' interest in knowledge acquired through practice - experimentation, everyday situations; - developing students' self-discipline skills, teaching them to think critically and independently about forensics, science and the experiments that were performed during the project. Among the results obtained, students: - developed 21st century competences, i.e. skills that guarantee professional success in the future. - have developed the skills that students acquire by learning and applying knowledge in practice. - have developed the competences of the future: social competences (ability to cooperate, also in an international environment, and to recognise one's own and others' emotions), cognitive competences (solving complex problems, logical thinking and creativity), technical-digital competences (understanding digital technologies and the ability to design them). The development of the above competences is related to the challenges of the future that the students will have to face. - were actively involved in the project work, developed their interests, deepened their self-development in STEAM subjects and forensics. - they skilfully opened "their minds" and motivated themselves to learn science. - they interactively explored forensic science using effective working methods and techniques. - increased their creativity. - they increased their problem-solving skills. - increased their access to ICT and their ability to use open educational resources. - increased their level of digital competence. - developed knowledge and learning through forensics, a hitherto atypical approach to teaching mathematics, biology, physics or chemistry. - formed more positive attitudes towards school education and the role of education in future careers; - increased their opportunities for education abroad. All partners were experienced in teaching STEAM subjects and contributed greatly to the project. The project resulted in a jointly developed set of INNOVATIVE ACTIONS in the field of forensic science. Exchange of experiences, pedagogical methods and best practices through visits to partner schools and sharing of experiences and ideas. Project participants: - developed the capacity to engage productively in STEAM educational activities. - increased their knowledge of the importance of applying learning to everyday life and learning through innovative approaches. - increased the level of use of ICT-based methodologies for STEAM learning and to provide a more attractive form of forensics. - gained confidence, motivation and enthusiasm for science. Impact of the project on target groups: - shaping 21st century competences. - increased problem-solving skills. - engagement and interest in learning science, achievement in STEAM subjects and forensic science. Potential long-term benefits: The project was a fruitful and wonderful experience for all participants. It made the partners part of a multicultural team. Together an innovative approach to teaching and learning STEAM and forensic science was developed.