Urban Science – Integrated Learning for Smart Cities Erasmus Project

Project Title

Urban Science – Integrated Learning for Smart Cities

Project Key Action

This project related with these key action: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

Project Action Type

This project related with this action type : Strategic Partnerships for school education

Project Call Year

This project’s Call Year is 2017

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: Natural sciences; New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Pedagogy and didactics

Project Summary

Science is a cornerstone for meeting the challenges of an increasingly urban Europe. If Europe’s cities are to adapt, grow and meet their citizen’s needs then science must be at the forefront. Over 67% of the European population live in cities. Enabling those cities to deliver services effectively, efficiently, and sustainably while keeping their citizens safe, healthy, prosperous, and well-informed is amongst the most important challenges in this century. Improving the attractiveness of cities is targeted by the Lisbon Strategy and the EU’s strategic guidelines for cohesion policy (Integrated Sustainable Urban Development) for 2014-2020.

Without a strong scientific base Europe will not meet its Europe2020 goals of smart and sustainable growth. This includes more research and innovation to overcome challenges faced by issues such as climate change, biodiversity loss and increasing urbanisation. Unless young people choose to study science, then it is highly unlikely that the scientific expertise will be developed to fill the jobs needed to solve major EU wide problems created by climate change and urbanisation, and create new jobs in the green economy (as identified in Skills for Green Jobs – CEDEFOP 2010). There is a clear need to motivate more pupils to study science and be ready to tackle the challenges of an urban Europe.

The Urban Science project aimed to contribute the needs of an urban Europe, where scientists of the future have the skills and knowledge to create healthy and sustainable cities. Urban Science focused on how science can develop solutions to urban issues, so motivating pupils to view the positive benefits of science to the urban environment. It supported teachers with exciting and innovative ways to teach science that has real life meaning for their pupils. It also aimed to meet the needs of pupils to be competitive in a rapidly changing world where scientific understanding is vital. Partners promoted a hands-on inquiry based approach to science that engages learners in everyday issues that have relevance and meaning for them. Urban environments were used as ‘living laboratories’ in which pupils explored how science can help create healthier places to live and work.

The overall aim of Urban Science was ‘to improve the teaching of scientific inquiry and investigation so that pupils develop the competencies to actively contribute to creating healthy cities, gain scientific skills for employment, and are more motivated to study science.’ This was delivered through linked specific objectives:
• Review the needs of science based businesses to identify the science skills and competencies needed for healthy cities and the low carbon economy.
• Enhance the support available for teachers to increase their professional competence in teaching science in the urban environment using inquiry and investigation.
• Develop formative assessment models that assess science competencies rather than knowledge.
• Provide learning modules for teachers to deliver science in the urban environment.
• Science that develops the competencies of pupils to be confident learners, creative thinkers and adept at solving problems.
• Increase the motivation of pupils to study science and connect science with careers in a low carbon economy.

During the project we expected to reach 300 teachers, 18 schools and 600 pupils; in all measures we exceeded our expectations in reaching 383 teachers, 46 schools and 1602 pupils. Through our dissemination activities we targeted more teacher, schools and education providers through conferences, social media and publications.

The results outlined above where achieved through the development of 35 learning modules across six languages and six countries. These demonstrated how science can engage young people through exploring local sustainability issues using inquiry-based learning. Each module was piloted in schools and adapted based on results. Based on piloting, teacher training was provided to teachers through face-to-face workshops and online sessions, all backed up by a project website in English and partner websites in local languages. Background pedagogical research and assessment tools are also published.

Urban Science aimed to be solutions based. Our aim was for pupils to explore solutions to urban issues not just the issue itself. This placed a greater emphasis on creative thinking and problem solving skills, and ensuring that the science pupils learn is seen to be practically applied. We are confident that this approach to Urban Science will mean the resulting resources have a long-lasting impact both in terms of the usability and on the people implementing them.

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 275638 Eur

Project Coordinator

Wild Awake & Country: UK

Project Partners

• NARODOWA FUNDACJA OCHRONY SRODOWISKA
• CREDA onlus
• KUTATO TANAROK ORSZAGOS SZOVETSEGE
• BERNU VIDES SKOLA
• Ecosystem Europe Association