The original renewable energy directive (2009/28/EC) established an overall policy for production and promotion of energy from renewable sources across EU state members. The set targets demand that, by 20920, at least 20% of the total amount of energy needs will be provided with renewables. This ambitious target is to be achieved through the attainment of individual national goals, so that all European Union member states must also ensure that minimum 10% of their transport fuels have renewable sources origins by 2020. In light of the EU framework, we set up this Erasmus+ project to raise students’ consciousness related to the need to expand the use of energy obtained from non-polluting sources, which is estimated to increase, according to the data provided in the same revised Renewable Energy Directive. Our main goal is to acquire a comprehensive knowledge of the way the sources of energy are employed, experiment the production of renewable energy while applying STEM and project based learning methods so as to acknowledge both the advantages and disadvantages of all types of energy sources. Additionally, the project will create the context for applying critical and creative thinking, research and analyses of project topic, which will result in a range of quality joint concrete products obtained within the project period. OBJECTIVES O1 to raise students’ apprehension of scientific concepts and mechanisms applied in producing alternative energy O2 to enhance participants’ level of consciousness in regard to usage of alternative energy O3 to develop the acquisition of competences and skills through cross-curricular projects in STEM field O4 to boost communication and team work skills at the level of participants’ students and teachers O5 to foster students’ employability through upgrading of soft skills O6 to facilitate the mutually beneficial exchange and transfer of school practices in project areas across Europe O7 to increase intercultural awareness and promotion of European active citizenship that comply with EU policies PARTICIPANTS The target group of students will be formed of students aged 15-18, we estimate approximately 400 students in all partner organisations will take part in activities and benefit from results. We will select 96 students at partnership level (24/partner) to attend LTTAs, accompanied by 2 teachers/LTTA. They will form the active group throughout the whole project duration, attend preparatory sessions before scheduled LTTAs, prepare materials for exchanges, familiarize with the topic. Additionally, they will interact with foreign peers on twin space and further on during exchanges. Each organization will form teams of minimum 6 teachers/partner who will take on specific duties, responsibilities and activate in subjects related to the project topics. Other teachers who teach project subjects in organization will coordinate students’ activities, parents will take part in LTTA preparatory activities, dissemination events, provide accommodation for foreign students. ACTIVITIES AND METHODOLOGY We will organise 5 LTTAs, one short-term joint staff training event and 4 exchanges for groups of pupils, hosted in each partner organisation. Each group of participants in exchanges will comprise 6 students accompanied by 2 teachers/per partner organization and 3 teachers/ partner will attend the training event. The planned LTTA will address specific topics listed below: C1 Traditional versus alternative energy C2 Solar Energy C3 Wind Energy C4 Water energy C5 Sustainable energy- creating smart urban models for the future RESULTS We envisage that the project will produce various intangible and tangible results. Intangible results expected are: positive attitudes, knowledge, skills, enhanced environmental awareness, raised active engagement and citizenship, good practice academic exchange. Tangible results expected are: evaluation forms, feedback forms, observation sheets, topic presentations and reports, posters, testimonies, students’ project diaries, international project conference, leaflets, project logo, website, twin space and social media page, project brochure titled High school STEM approaches. IMPACT AND LONG TERM BENEFITS C.L.M.R.E.S. will increase the mobility rate for teachers and professional development at international level, strengthening the profile of teaching profession in all partner organisations. Moreover, the project will promote quality and cross-curricular benefits in schools’ offer and complete the syllabus with innovative approaches and highly practical learning techniques which will be reflected in pupils’ academic success. The partners will enhance project management and organisational expertise, benefit from increased visibility, extended partners network and concrete opportunities for future international cooperation and exchanges in the field of education.
The project with the aim of gaining comprehensive knowledge about the way energy sources are used and experimenting with the production of renewable energy using the STEM method began in a difficult situation (09/2020), when face-to-face teaching was gradually cancelled in all partner schools due to COVID-19. Before teams could be physically formed in schools, all info had to be spread virtually, and distance edu was switched to. We agreed with our partners that in 2020, we will only communicate online and offline we will carry out project activities that can be implemented without real meetings and we will postpone mobility to 2021. The situation with the COVID-19 worsened and mobilities could not be implemented in 2020/2021 school y. A proposal to extend the project by 12 months (until 8/31, 2023) came up at the work online meetings. The request for the project extension, and thus the shift of all edu mobilities C1-C5 by 1 year without the right to increase the budget in the project, was approved and all activities were realistically and successfully carried out. All set O1-O7 objectives were met: • increase students' understanding of scientific concepts and mechanisms used in the production of alternative energy - realized during each mobility within the framework of practical teaching, measurements, observations, excursions, presentations, experiential learning in the field, creative activity • increase the level of awareness of the participants in connection with the use of alternative energy - realized in the form of presentations by students and subsequent discussion on the topic • develop the acquisition of competences and skills through cross-curricular projects in the STEM field - the very implementation of STEM teaching in mixed groups • strengthen communication and team skills at the level of students and teachers of the participants - fulfilled and implemented with great interest of those involved • support of students' employability through the improvement of soft skills - development implemented in a non-violent way, mutual communication, assistance to disabled students from a Polish school • mutually beneficial exchange and transfer of school procedures in project areas throughout Europe – exchange of experience in teaching models, inspiration, search for common activities was a matter of course • increase of intercultural awareness and support of active European citizenship – implemented throughout the project. The target group of students was made up of students aged 15-18, directly on mobility 96 at partner level (24/partner) accompanied by 2 teachers/mobility/partner. Other students were involved in the host school directly (participation in mobility activities), but also indirectly - participation in preparatory mobility activities (preparation of the program, materials, accompanying, implementation of mobility outcomes), min. other 300 add. students in all partner schools who participated in the activities and will benefit from the results. Mobility participants formed an active group throughout the duration of the project, participated in preparatory meetings, prepared materials, familiarized themselves with the topic, and collaborated informally through social networks. Each school partner had team of 6-8 teachers who had specific responsibilities and dealt with edu in subjects related to the project topics. The students' parents were informed about the preparatory activities, but also about the activity results. 5 mobilities were organized: one short-term joint training event for employees and 4 exchange stays for groups of pupils in each partner school with planned topics: C1 Traditional versus alternative energy, C2 Solar energy, C3 Wind energy, C4 Water energy, C5 Sustainable energy - creating smart city models for the future. The project brought both intangible and tangible results. Intangibles: positive attitudes, knowledge, skills, increased environmental awareness, increased active engagement and citizenship, exchange of best practices in edu. Evaluation forms and observation sheets, mobility feedback, thematic presentations and reports, posters and project brochure, diaries, leaflets, logo, website, twin space environment and social media page were created. The project increased the mobility of teachers and their professional development at the international level. The project also promoted quality in edu through an innovative STEM method with highly practical learning techniques and experiential learning that became motivating for students, supported international cooperation and communication between schools. The innovation of the educational model was presented as part of a national conference for school digital coordinators of the national project IT Academy – education for the 21st century in June 2022. The main coordinator of the project presented the results of the project at the webinar of the Club of School Digital Coordinators (for more than 100 participants).