Which are the project priorities? Check them out here to see why the project is so important.
The main goal of the project is to create and make available to teachers and other educators accessible, easily–implemented and attractive STEM educational resources to raise students’ (6-14 y.o.) interest over STEM and improve their Science Literacy.
The specific objectives are linked to the concrete results envisaged in WP1 (Toolkit and Guidelines) and WP2 (Online Wiki), namely:
- Empowering teachers with appealing approaches to STEM education through learning by doing and development and promotion of effective and innovative pedagogies. (WP1)
- Supporting STEM educators by enhancing their continuous professional development giving them access to open educational resources and materials and concrete educational opportunities in the online Wiki developed by their colleagues. (WP2)
Neuroscience presents us with strong evidence for the profound influence of early experiences. In order to build healthy brain connections from the outset, children need responsive and rich social interactions with caregivers, combined with sufficient nutrients and an environment free of toxins (CDC at Harvard University, 2016). Experiences where children learn by exploring offer a unique context for these supportive and rich learning experiences in early childhood (Learning through Play in the First 1000 Days, LEGO Research Foundation 2017). The appealing approaches and the use of interactive learning opportunities offer a good response to the challenge in hands especially in the STEM sector. Interactive lessons can provide a context to approach STEM topics thus making the learning of complex and abstract concepts more meaningful and engaging. They also have other important advantages and are valuable additions in support of the classroom curriculum. Interactive STEM lessons give students the opportunity to participate in the lesson by making decisions, thus sharpening the decision-making and skills and creativity together with developing basic computer skills.
Furthermore, the developed interactive resources can easily adapt to non-formal and informal learning settings. Involving countries with different practices in STEM Education enables the exchange of experiences and best practices and reaching results that apply to a wider audience. Besides the above mentioned non-tangible results, the partnership will elaborate a Toolkit with guidelines for developing STEM lessons, will train teachers and trainers how to use the Toolkit and the guidelines in international and national trainings and will create online Wiki with STEM lessons and materials freely accessible for everyone interested in the STEM topics.
Stay tuned for more news!
