Duration: 28. 2. 2022 – 27. 02. 2024
Granting Authority: European Union, European Commision
Project Number: KA220-SCH-2/21
Project Name: Learn GREEN – Оutdoor STEM
Project Acronym: GREEN&STEM
Call: Erasmus + 2021-2027: Call 2022 KA220-HED: Cooperation partnerships in tertiary education
Type of Project: Pedagogical Project
Project Coordinator: Faculty of Information Studies in Novo mesto, leader: Biljana Mileva – Boshkoska, Ph.D., Assoc. Prof.
Partners:
- Osnovna Šola Vrhovci, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- OOU “Naum Naumovski Borche”, Skopje, The Republic of North Macedonia
- Sojuz na istrazhuvachi na Makedonija – SIM, Skopje, The Republic of North Macedonia
- Colegio Virgen de la Rosa, Burgos, Spain
Project Summary:
This project aims to promote innovative ways of teaching STEM outdoors in particular to girls and underprivileged children aged 8-16. The rationale is that the target group is underrepresented in STEM occupations and with the project we aim to motivate them to consider STEM-oriented careers. Recent studies have shown that children are better susceptible to STEM subjects, therefore we want to enhance their curiosity with the possibilities that STEM offers. At the same time, we aim at bridging the gap between digital technologies with real nature by designing and implementing combined STEM activities: online and outdoors. As a result, students will not only have knowledge but will also get equipped with skills for solving real complex problems required in today’s world. Another known problem that children face is the application of theoretical knowledge in nature. To overcome such problems, the project aims at defining difficult theoretical tasks and offer various implementations of the theory in the natural world. Through using a guided mobile application, using gamification elements for motivation, students will be able to easily understand the connection between theory and practice.
The project has four objectives.
- Creation of outdoor possibilities, for example, trails, for schools and their pupils to engage in collaborative activities for practicing STEM knowledge by using digital tools but outside of traditional school settings.
- Bridging the gap between theory and practice by introducing educational experiences and interdisciplinary approaches to solving real-life challenges. Tasking pupils with real-life challenges will help them understand the relevance of STEM knowledge in daily activities.
- Flexible and inclusive e-toolkit. E-toolkit will offer teachers and students a description of various possibilities for practicing STEM in nature. It will consist of e-materials and a freely accessible mobile app that will help in discovering activities and outdoor STEM trails for different pupils’ ages andinterests.
- Increase the motivation of girls and underprivileged children to engage in STEM activities.
Each primary school will develop two trails, or six altogether including the STEM activities on each of the trails. All partners will develop a GREEN&STEM e-toolkit (e-learning space) with a description of all activities and trails for all ages. The e-toolkit is an easy-to-use and ready digital collection for outdoor science and STEM activities, with a specific focus on girls and underserved communities. The GREEN&STEM e-toolkit will be a basis for developing a mobile app. Development of an outdoor STEM educator guide (e-learning space) is also planned to engage students with STEM activities. Also project webpage, a Facebook page, and a YouTube Channel will be created, while multiplier events for the promotion of the project results will be organized.
