Implementing NOTELEDGE project we have tried to achieve several objectives for students, teachers, educators and the secondary education community. Connecting music and math in secondary education enriched the learning experience, appealing to a wider range of learners, and preparing students for the interdisciplinary challenges they may encounter in the future. The project has developed a set of practical activities to give students many opportunities in the fields of algebra and other mathematic areas and through creative music activities, based on cross-disciplinary educational approaches. NOTELDGE has encouraged students to see the connections between seemingly disparate subjects, fostering a holistic understanding of knowledge helping students to remember mathematical concepts more effectively by providing memorable and meaningful experiences. Music allows for personal expression, which can help students develop a sense of ownership and confidence in their mathematical abilities. The group music works have promoted collaboration and communication skills, which are essential for both artistic and mathematical endeavors. Educators have enriched their teaching experience and have helped them to support their students.
At the heart of the "musical NOTEs and math knowleLEDGE" (NOTE-LEDGE) project is the idea that concepts of different fields, mostly left unconnected in schools, are meant to be seen in relation to each other. However, although connecting science, technology, engineering, mathematics and art is at the agenda of STEM and STEAM reforms in education, the realization of this connection is far from evident especially in cases of schools that host students coming from disadvantaged backgrounds (refugee, migrants and Roma backgrounds, or geo-blocked). The motivation for the project came up as the applicant, DDE, is receiving reports that teachers show great interest in connecting STEAM-fields with other learning areas, such art, or outdoor activities, though they feel very unsure as to how to realize this. Additionally, students in secondary education hardly see any relation between concepts or skills that are being taught to them in different fields or subject matters. Furthermore, in both countries involved in this project (Greece and Romania) a pedagogy connecting Music with Maths can hardly be found in the standard curriculum even the excistence of a strong tradition in these areas in both countries.