title STEM Participation for Change Erasmus Project

Project Title

title STEM Participation for Change

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 2020

Project Topics

This project is related with these Project Topics: New innovative curricula/educational methods/development of training courses; Environment and climate change

Project Summary

“From space, I saw how incredibly beautiful and fragile planet Earth is. We humans are all astronauts on a spaceship called “Earth”. So, we have to take extremely good care of it.” (André Kuipers, ESA astronaut)

Context:
Right from the start of the Von Der Leyen Commission in 2020, a new green deal has been introduced that aims to make Europe the first climate-neutral continent by 2050. In order to achieve this, it is imperative to inspire younger generations to drive this green revolution. The SPACE consortium is dedicated to doing exactly that through creating a new innovative learning method for pupils aged 10-12 that teaches them about the environment and climate change through the lens of astronauts. The method is complemented by a 4D virtual reality experience developed by the applicant organisation SpaceBuzz that allows children to experience the Overview Effect; the experience that astronauts report when seeing Earth from space for the first time. They describe a sense of awe based on both the beauty and fragility of our planet as seen from space. This led to a new perspective and cognitive change in the mindsets of astronauts that have experienced this, making them become much more aware of the need to protect our planet and more willing to take action. We are supported by many European astronauts such as André Kuipers who founded SpaceBuzz in the Netherlands and French astronaut Claudie Haigneré who indicated that: ‘It’s a very big step forward for young people to have that feeling, it’s very well done!’. Other European astronauts like Paulo Nespoli (Italy) and Bertalan Farkas (Hungary) have also expressed their appreciation and support in bringing the program to as many children as possible.

Ultimately, the SPACE consortium wants to prepare children to become responsible citizens and a true force for positive change. STEM-related topics are introduced as means to help us overcome the environmental and climate challenges that we face, giving children a sense of empowerment and agency for change.

Participants:
2000 pupils in the age of 10-12 in Hungary, France, Italy and the Netherlands.
80 teachers of pupils aged 10-12

Activities & method used:
The SPACE-consortium will create, pilot and adjust a new learning method, educator support materials and STEM support tools for teachers in four different countries and in 5 different languages. These activities are based on design thinking methodology, where all the partner organisations co-create a transnational learning method together and adapt these to local needs. Furthermore, the design thinking process will be monitored and turned into a practical report with tips, tricks and steps for others that want to engage in similar activities.

Main results and impact:
(1) A significant increase in awareness on the environment and the EU climate goals in pupils aged 10-12.
(2) A significant increase in the willingness to act amongst pupils aged 10-12
(3) Improved quality of STEM-education

Main potential longer term benefits:
(1) Proactive citizens that take action on making Europe reach its green ambitions.
(2) More interest in STEM-related studies and careers
(3) Improved skills of teachers for STEM-education

EU Grant (Eur)

Funding of the project from EU: 400589 Eur

Project Coordinator

Stichting Space Buzz Foundation & Country: NL

Project Partners

• CENTRE CULTUREL SCIENTIFIQUE ET TECHNIQUE ASSOCIATION
• Schulsprengel Bruneck 1
• Vizuális Torony Kereskedelmi, Szolgáltató és Tanácsadó Korlátolt Felelősségű Társaság