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STEM Labyrinth as a method for increasing the level of knowledge through problem solving

2020-1-PT01-KA201-0786452020Strategic Partnerships for school educationfinalized
Countries: PT|MK|EE|FI|IT|EL|CY · Grant: €182,494.69
Key Competences (incl. mathematics and literacy) - basic skillsNew innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training coursesICT - new technologies - digital competences

Project summary

* Context With the project we would introduce a new and innovative approach in STEM education addressing Innovative practices in digital era as priority. Project intends to develop innovative STEM Labyrinth Method and design Mobile App, to create a transformative educational experience for high school students. The real-world problem scenarios will empower students for higher-order thinking and problem solving, preparing them to be competent and ready for the careers in fast moving digital world. * Objectives - empower youth and students to be problem solvers and innovative thinkers through science and technology - train students in using technology - enable and motivate students to learn STEM topics by immersing themselves in interactive apps - implement new teaching methods and materials that will encourage STEM teaching - conduct progressive series of curricula developments - provide teacher training to better improve content delivery - develop course plans and teacher training courses for STEM - target teachers at primary, lower secondary and upper secondary level within the area of STEM in schools’ European dimension by promoting closer relationships between teachers, schools and relevant stakeholders and policymakers - increase schools’ European dimension by promoting closer relationships among schools, students and teachers. * Number and profile of participants Each partner in this Partnership have staff experienced in the project field and they will contribute to a great extent for the realization of the proposal. There is total number of about 30 key persons that will be included with working assignment and in training activities. * Activities 1. selection of staff involved in the project, quality assurance, budget control and time management, risk management, acquisitions, financial reports, archiving, reporting to the National Agency and European Commission 2. intellectual outputs: development of a Toolkit, Mobile app, a Guidelines, self evaluation instruments, development of a structured course. 3. 1 short-term joint staff training event (June 2021 in Portugal) 4. 3 multiplier events (Italy, Portugal, North Macedonia) 5. four transnational project meetings (Greece, Cyprus, North Macedonia, Finland) 6. dissemination activities (within the institutions involved in the project, in other institutions, public events and mass media coverage, publications and scientific events, graphic materials and online dissemination). * Methodology 1. establishment of a communication network, organizational upgrades, informative activities, selection and preparation of participants, specific rules and financial regulations. 2. analysis of the current situation in the partner countries that will direct the development of the intellectual outputs, based on internal expertise and exchanges of practices during training and teaching assignments, and the process will be evaluated and redirected during the transnational project meetings. 3. follow up phase with multiplier events and direct activities with the target groups: pupils, teachers, trainers, school managers, decision makers and policy makers, representatives of public institutions, including NGOs. 4. dissemination phase with previously defined activities in a dissemination plan 5. completion of the project with establishing specific tasks of each partner in the sustainability period, reinforcing the partnership and inviting new partners, planning additional activities * Results The main results of the project are the already mentioned as intellectual outputs, other results are: 1. at institutional / organizational level: developing innovative strategies to implement this method in the curricula based on the intellectual outputs and on the experience and expertise 2. activities with the beneficiaries: implementing the methodology developed through this project and the OER in at least 20 schools in all participating countries, with at least 1000 pupils, 100 teachers and 100 parents and family members attending 3. at inter-institutional level: partnerships with similar institutions and schools to use OER and ICT in STEM * Impact 1. impact on the participants: improved competences in innovative approach to teaching STEM and usage of OER and digital tools; increased problem solving skills of the students 2. impact on the participating organizations: improved competences of addressing basic skills - science and mathematics literacy through more effective teaching methods, use of ICT-based methodologies 3. impact on target groups: improved 21st century skills, such as digital skills, critical thinking, cooperation, problem solving, innovative and analytical thinking, established network of supporters and advocates who can help into education reforms * The potential long-term benefits 1. new innovative approach to teaching and learning STEM 2. implementation of the app in in the curricular and extra-curricular activities 3. new partnerships to further enhance the app

Objectives

With implementing the project we wanted to achieve the following objectives: - empower youth and students to be problem solvers and innovative thinkers through science and technology; - train students in using technology; - enable and motivate students to learn STEM topics by immersing themselves in interactive apps; - implement new teaching methods and materials that will encourage STEM teaching; - conduct progressive series of curricula developments; - provide teacher training to better improve content delivery; - develop course plans and teacher training courses for STEM; - target teachers at primary, lower secondary and upper secondary level within the area of STEM in schools’ European dimension by promoting closer relationships between teachers, schools and relevant stakeholders and policymakers; - increase schools’ European dimension by promoting closer relationships among schools, students and teachers.

Background

As teachers, we need to be aware of the changes and the needs of the today's students. We have noticed that these generations of students have low-attention disorders, just because they are born with the technology. According to the learning patterns and students' needs, this project intends to develop interactive materials that will help students to develop problem-solving skills, i.e. the capacity of students to understand problems situated in novel and cross-curricular settings, to identify relevant information or constraints, to represent possible alternatives or solution paths, to develop solution strategies, and to solve problems and communicate the solutions. With the project we are introducing a new and innovative approach in STEM education addressing Innovative practices in digital era as priority. Project intends to develop innovative STEM Labyrinth Method and design Mobile App, to create a transformative educational experience for high school students. The real-world problem scenarios will empower students for higher-order thinking and problem solving, preparing them to be competent and ready for the careers in fast moving digital world.

Project partners (7)