Through the participation of teachers in two courses "The school teaches critical thinking" and "Unconventional teaching methods", the project beneficiaries were equipped with knowledge and skills in the field of critical thinking techniques and innovative and unconventional activating methods. The newly acquired knowledge and skills made it possible to introduce changes in the teachers' approach to the teaching and learning process. Replacing unattractive and ineffective teaching methods with activating methods, conducting classes in an unconventional way, stimulated the students' energy, changed the passive attitude into active one and increased involvement, which translated into an increase in the results achieved by them. In turn, thanks to the use of tools and techniques learned by teachers during classes, students independently process and interpret source materials, create cause-effect relationships and search for alternative solutions to the analyzed problems in a creative and innovative way.
Primary School (PS) named Bohaterów Monte Cassino in Ustrobna is a small, rural school. Over 95% of students are students from rural areas. PS cares about the comprehensive development of its students. The school organizes didactic and compensatory classes as well as activities developing students' interests. Students take part in sports camps and "green school" trips. A wide range of classes and programs is conducive to the comprehensive development of students. At school, in recent years, among students in grades 4 - 8, a decrease in commitment during lessons (passive attitude) and a low level of critical thinking skills were observed, which translated into the results they achieved. These problems increased significantly during the online learning period, when working with the student was difficult. The answer to the problems that the school had to face, especially after a long period of distance learning, was the need to improve the knowledge and professional skills of teachers and equip them with appropriate and effective tools that will allow to eliminate the diagnosed problems. By implementing the project, the school wanted to improve teachers' professional competences by participating in foreign methodology courses.